Lib Dems agree with Herron

Press Release
North East No Campaign
Tuesday 20th September 2005

Sunderland Campaigner supports Newcastle Leader..."Lead the Way Peter."

Today's Newcastle Journal (page 8) reports that Newcastle City Council Leader has branded the North East Assembly, "boring, invisible and a waste of money."

The No Campaign welcomes this statement as it confirms what we said before the referendum and confirms now the politicians are waking up to the fact that it wasn't just the public that were duped.

For once it appears that Sunderland and Newcastle are in harmony with Sunderland campaigner Neil Herron supporting the Liberal Democrat Leader of Newcastle City Council's statement.

However, rhetoric needs to be followed by action.

Neil Herron states, "Following statements by Newcastle City Council Leader, Peter Arnold that the North East Assembly is a 'waste of time and money,' we expect him now to terminate Newcastle City Council's membership of this organisation forthwith to avoid him being labelled a hypocrite. Not a penny more of ratepayers money must be paid to this unwanted, unelected Assembly.
The Assembly has limped along trying to justify its existence after suffering the emphatic rejection last November...but now the game's up. We expect Newcastle Council to also terminate the North East Assembly's lease (which is on 'very favourable terms') on their HQ, the Guildhall Building situated on the Newcastle Quayside and get a fair market rent for a building in such a prestigious location. So, come on Mr. Arnold, take the first step in restoring the public's faith in politicians by converting your rhetoric into action."

"However, the serious implications for all the councillors from all the local authorities who have sat on the North East Assembly is that, because it is an 'unincorporated association' and not a public body, it is the members who will be 'jointly and severally liable' for fulfilling the contracts (including those of the employed staff) which have been entered into.
This whole ill thought out and ill conceived plan by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is sinking beneath the waves...but who else will go down with the ship?"


Contact:
Neil Herron Campaign Director (North East No Campaign)
0191 565 7143
07776 202045
http://www.neilherron.blogspot.com/
http://www.northeastnocampaign.co.uk/