Sample of Recent Letters Across North East Press

Sunderland Echo
8th October
Letters

We deserve better
WHY is it that as soon as money is mentioned, things crawl out of the woodwork!For about two years Neil Herron has been campaigning against regional assemblies at considerable cost to himself and with no other income but donations from like-minded individuals. Where were these people when Neil was "telling it like it is"? Oh silly me ... of course no-one wanted to know as there was (apparently) "nothing in it for me". Does anyone know who these people are? Have they made any sacrifices for their beliefs, or has money "bought" them?Neil, and those of use who have supported him these past few years, financially, ethically and morally, do so because we believe our children, their children and their children's children deserve better than the dictatorship that regional assemblies will bring. In short we want a better life for them and we will only get this outside the Federal State of Europe.It is because of Neil, and others who see the other side of the coin, that we are becoming more aware of what is at stake. Who decided on the leadership of the "No" campaign? Is the "Yes" argument so weak that a strong voice, which Neil has, would drown them out?Regionalisation has nothing to do with Prescott's'dream and everything to do with the founders (Jean Monnet, Arthur Salter and Altiero Spinelli) back in the 20s and 30s, later ratified by John Major in 1975. Regional Assemblies emanate from and are controlled by Brussels, not Westminster.
Georgina Kennedy,Sunderland

Northumberland Gazette
8th October
Letters

Message 'misleading'
THERE seems to be potentially misleading information about changes in local government structures in a glossy newsheet, “Connections”, from Alnwick Distict Council on pages 4 and 5. The layout suggests that the regional assembly is either option A – one council for Northumberland – or option B – two councils. There is no clear map defining the regional assembly area, neither is it made transparent that there are two issues at stake: namely the regional assembly, covering from Berwick on Tweed to Middlesbrough for which one can vote yes or no, and the local government reorganisation with options A and B. I am sure that people could easily be mislead into thinking that the regional assembly is a vote for Option A or B and will be falsely reassured by the rural nature of the area. One concern about a regional assembly has to be that the rural areas will be dominated by the greater populations in urban areas, with their rural distinctive concerns over-ridden. Let us have more clear, honest and correctly informative information about the regional assembly especially. National government seems to be very coy about putting specific information on the issue in front of the electorate. Also, how will the larger “local” services be better if they become more remote under local govenment reorganisation? Another issue is the all-postal ballot which is going ahead here despite being rejected as invalid elsewhere. It is an invalid plebiscite before it even happens.
Charis Scott, Rothbury.

Time to become trend setters
ALNWICK District Council vote against regional government – surprise, surprise. Regional government, of course, means a streamlining of local government, and district councils are part of that re-organisation. It is noteworthy that the 'no’ letter in the Gazette (September 23) came from Preston. The rest of the country, including Whitehall, hates the thought of more power to the region. We already have regional decisions but they are made by unelected quangos. Give power back to the electorate, i.e. regional assemblies. Regional government is well established in Germany and France and when their heavy industry was decimated it was regional government that enabled them to access funding and regeneration when the coalfields of Durham and Northumberland were ignored by Whitehall. Of course, the powers of regional government are limited, but you have to start somewhere. Once established and effective, the regional assembly can then seek more devolved power. The North East has been the origin of much innovation and invention over the centuries; we can once again be trendsetters and inventors and show the rest of the country how local government should be done. The 'no’ campaign have nothing to offer except more of the same – total disinterest in local government and lower and lower turn out by the electorate. Local government is a shambles. Be positive. Become a trend setter. Vote 'yes’ on November 4.
Mike Dixon,Shilbottle.

Berwick Advertiser
7th October

SIR, — District council leaders are contacting local newspapers across Northumberland in an attempt to deliberately conflate the issues of local government and schools re-organisation. This simply highlights the desperation of these leaders. Let me correct them on some factual errors. First if a unitary county is formed it will be a new council, for which new elections will be held, not a continuation of the existing body as suggested by Berwick councillor Tony Hughes. The public will therefore have the opportunity to change regimes if they so desire. Second, if county is running scared on closing schools as Coun Hughes suggests, why did they open up the issue before the regional referendum? Surely ‘Machiavellian politics’ would dictate that county said nothing and opened up this difficult matter after November? Third, district leaders are hinting that schools will not close if voters chose to split Northumberland in two. This is simply desperation politics, as they know that hard decisions are going to have to be taken no matter what council structure exists. Are the districts seriously suggesting that a rural unitary council won’t face exactly the same problems as now? Furthermore, if a rural unitary is formed it will contain most of the schools currently under threat, yet it will have half the tax base of the current county council, meaning that it will have diminished resources and administrative capacity to do anything about it. If district leaders are so confident in their assertions I challenge them to pledge that they will not close schools or reform the current structure of education if two new unitaries are formed, and stand for election on that platform. I bet I know the answer to that one! The simple fact is that it is the districts who are scratching around for causes to latch onto and in doing so are seeking political advantage for themselves. Don’t be fooled by this empty politics of the worst kind.
COUN GLENN SIMPSON, Labour Group Leader, Tynedale Council. via e-mail.