Prescott does not understand the word No

Prescott 'is imposing tyranny'
Mar 11 2005
By Zoe Hughes, The Journal

John Prescott has been accused of imposing `a regional tyranny' by opponents for ignoring the wishes of North-East voters and pressing ahead regardless with his plans for regionalisation.

The Deputy Prime Minister will come under attack from the Tories today who said he was in danger of creating a "regional tyranny" by continuing to transfer power to unelected quangos despite 78pc of voters saying No to the idea of an assembly.

The party's local government spokesman Eric Pickles will tell the Conservative spring conference that Mr Prescott's disregard for the overwhelming rejection of an elected assembly last November risks creating "a regional tyranny - government by officialdom with no mandate, legitimacy or accountability".

The attack follows criticism of Mr Prescott's plans to give regional bodies power to clamp down on smoking, impose housing targets, deal with waste strategies and for unelected regional development agencies to decide whether Las Vegas-style super casinos are built.

It also follows recent reports that Mr Prescott's office is ordering councils to give travellers special rights to build homes and for planners to take "positive action" to help them.

Now the Tories are alleging this regionalisation by stealth is creating an undemocratic layer of government, with Mr Pickles saying: "What part of No does John Prescott not understand?

"Month after month since November's No vote, more and more power is being transferred to expensive and distant, regional pen pushers and politicians.

"John Prescott has shown contempt for the voice of the people in rejecting places for a new tier of regional politicians.

"The contempt for the referendum result threatens a regional tyranny - government by officialdom with no mandate, legitimacy or accountability."

There was no reply from the ODPM last night.