Tories lead as even a 70% majority fails to bring the ass to its' knees

Tories bid to prevent 'control by Brussels'
Mar 9 2005

BERKSHIRE Tories failed in their bid to persuade John Prescott's unelected South East England Regional Assembley to abolish itself - even through more than 70% of delegates thought it a good idea.

Wokingham District Council leader Frank Browne's motion was aimed at persuading the govern-ment-appointed collection of local politicians, and business, religious and environmental representatives, to vote themselves out of exstence.

Critics say SEERA is one step along the path towards regional government run from Brussels.
One of SEERA's main responsibilities is drawing up the South East Plan - with its contentious house building proposals - to decide how the region develops over the next 20 years.

SEERA wants to build 28,000 or 32,000 homes a year to keep up with population and moving trends.

But the Tory dissolution bid was outvoted by Lib Dem and Labour council-lors and a majority of SEERA's special interest respresentatives.

Reading Borough Council's representative, transport leader Cllr John Howarth, said: "I would describe it as a cynical and counter productive scheme by the Conservative party to appease the far right Euro-sceptic wing.

"Had this succeeded, the result would have been to leave the south east with no voice in the current planning system, which would not benefit people living here."

Cllr Browne said: "I feel very strongly that the assembly is quietly supporting the introduction of regional government by the back door. "It has no democratic mandate to do this and it is time to stop this creeping regionalisation."

He said the bid failed despite getting 70.7% of the vote from local authorities, because only 4% of the social, economic and environmental groups were in favour - and a majority from both sections is needed.

He said: "It is a moral victory and we will have to think next how we take this forward."