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English Regional Assemblies
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I'm surprised nobody is discussing this yet, so I'll ask it: "What do you think?" </p>
Speaking as somebody from the Devon/Cornwall border (when I'm not at Uni) I'm inclined to think it is a good idea but only if they are given at least the sorts of powers that the Welsh assembly has, not just an extra layer of bureaucracy but something that actually has meaning. Anything that brings government closer to the people surely has to be a good thing and it is obvious that different areas of the country have different needs and concerns BUT I don't think that Westminster should decide on where to draw the boundaries (I don't know who should, but I don't think it should be anybody in London). Why? Because they have a tendancy to think about geography rather that the issues that need to be discussed. I note, for example, that the proposed South-West assembly would cover the area up to Gloucester, yet the people of Cornwall have nothing really in common with them. In our part of the world, we tend to feel especially cut-off from central government because the M5 motorway ends in Exeter, East Devon, and so there are relatively few events and visits by politicians west of this point. Furthermore, industry is loathe to relocate to areas without good transport links (except in the case of, for example, call-centres, which need no such infrastructure). This just doesn't affect people around Bristol, for example, so why should we be grouped with them? </p>
I know that in Devon and Cornwall a lot of people will scruitinise the exact details of any proposals that come out. If they are anything less than what the region needs they will vote against the plan - not necessarily because they are against the principle but because of the detail.</p>
- Right, essay over, sorry for the long post! You'll see that this is my first post but I have been monitoring TheSite for the last three weeks or so, so I hope I don't turn into a stereotypical newbie. Please be gentle!</p>
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I think we're being taken for a ride by the Scots and Welsh. They've got their 'assemblies' to represent them, but they then mess around with taxes, get great deals for their pensioners etc, yet still expect the English to pay for it.
Regional representation is a good idea in principle, but I think it is unfair to expect certain parts of the UK to subsidise others without a direct say.
And welcome to m0blf <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> Silly name though <IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> <IMG SRC="tongue.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
The point is, more money goes into Wales and Scotland than comes out, and then they demand these extra benefits just because they a few miles further away from Westminster than their English neighbours <IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
For go_away's benefit, see <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/news/052002/10/regional_assembly.shtml" target="_new"> this article</a></p>
As you'll see, we're not talking about different laws, according to these plans. It would essentially be a larger regional assembly taking over the work of many of the County councils at the moment:</p>
<em>"economic development, housing, transport, tourism, regional planning, and environmental protection and waste"</em></p>
What <strong>I</strong> am arguing for is, however, different tax systems and regimes. The reason is that different areas, taking Devon & Cornwall as my example again, have different priorities, such as transport, agriculture and tourism, none of which are going to be quite the same in the Midlands, for example. By giving the regions the power to spend and collect money as they want, you can ensure that the money is being spent as the demographics of the region require, rather than what central government perceives the necessities to be. Hopefully, (and this would depend on how much red-tape accompanies any further devolution within England) it will also allow a local crisis to be solved at a local level: I am sure that governments in the South-West and North-West would have dealt with foot-and-mouth last year much better than London did.</p>
I would strongly object to any system whereby a regional assembly demands money from the treasury for local projects, over and above the amount that that region contributes to the economy. It just isn't fair.
I'd echo that sentiment.
What is wrong with an <STRONG>English</STRONG> parliament?
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have distinct national identities which is why a regional assembly was right for them and why it would be right for England too. It would also allow us to cut down the number of MP in the Commons.
Besides we already have regional assemblies - they are called County Councils.
I just see this whole question as the next step toward the state of Europe...chop the nations up into tiny "regions" and it will be easier to assimilate them into a larger federal state..
Scotland and Wales shouldn't even have "national" assemblies. THIS IS BRITAIN. The UK.
IMO it should be evverything or nothing. Either Scotland, Wales or NI submit to BRITISH rule, or they fuck off and fend for themselves.
BTW....that was me. Seems my dear brother has started using thesite too. Lucky me.
probably
It could have stripes in it too, one for each meddling politician trying to make our lives even crapper than they already are. Why don't we call it the stars and stripes? I mean, that's original
What the fuck is the point of all this regionalist bollocks, who benefits from it?
Think back to the middle ages when this country was in chaos.
Look at the USA and its inability to pass a law that will affect more than 3 states.
Creating regional assemblies will be the first step in complete devolution, turning Britain into hundreds of smaller "nations".
I totally agree with what you said. I think an English assembly would be a good idea, because Scotland and Wales have their own, but I don't feel the need to break the country into regions, when county councils can deal with local issues. And I completely agree with what you said on Europe! Bearing in mind, the regions are an EU idea.