REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

The European Union issued its 'First Commission Communication on Regional Policy' in 1965 outlining its intent to introduce Regional Government throughout the Member States. The Committee of Regions came into being in 1993 and is composed of 110 Regional authorities representatives throughout the Union, appointed by their governments. The Committee presented a plan to divide England into nine separate Regional Assemblies responsible to the European Union (not Westminster). Once approved, regionalisation began to move inexorably forward. Regional Assemblies were surreptitiously established - but without public debate.

Only three hours were timetabled for the House of Commons to debate the second reading of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill, which occurred on the 24th January 2003. Thus after a grossly inadequate time for debate, the Bill was given a second reading and was sent to the House of Lords. Having been scrutinised the Bill is now at the Report Stage. The Bill proposes that 'in turn' each Regional Electorate will have a referendum to directly elect Assembly Members; and to replace a tier of local Government. (County and Rural Councils to be amalgamated) This is extraordinary - compare this with the amount of Parliamentary time that has been afforded to foxhunting!

However should a vote go against Regional Government the Assembly will not be dismantled - the Bill allows for another vote at a later date! Our Suzerain is determined to divide and rule!

The South Western Region covers an area of 9,200 square miles including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. The Assembly's website states that there are 117 Members -79 are selected Councillors nominated across the Region (two from Poole), 34 are 'Social and Economic Partners' nominated by Mr Prescott's Office, 2 represent National Parks, 2 from the Association of Local Councils. They meet three times a year, but this is only to endorse the decisions and rulings of the Groups and Committees.

The Assembly's headquarters are in Taunton, but all Regions have, or will have, representatives and offices in Brussels in order to compete centrally for grants and operational funding. The European Commission's regional booklets make it clear that the Assembly's allegiance is to the European Union and that it is not free and independent! The plan is that the Regions will take over more functions of local and central government so that, in time, they will usurp all major civic responsibilities.

Perusal of the South West Region's minutes shows their remit covers education, town planning, main road development, railway, airports, tourism and 'European Interests'. The Assembly's minutes also complain that 'Scotland has been given wider powers and a budget of £16.7 billion compared to a presently proposed £300 million in the South West for a similar population! This figure gives a clear indication of the wider ranging powers to be given to the Region in the future.

Funding of our Assembly Secretariat of £2.8 million per annum is borne by the Ratepayers as a tariff on all Councils and by a grant from Westminster - ultimately us all! No monies will come from Brussels - despite the fact that a new report by the New York City Analysts estimates that last year the indirect costs and contribution from our Country to the European Union was £43 billion per year, or £169 million per working day! Our Chancellor has never disclosed these combined adverse costs in any Budget. Why not? We were promised an 'Open Government'!

Dorset and Hampshire residents will be particularly affected as these two Counties share a similar environment and a common way of life quite distinct from South East or South West England - yet Brussels has chosen to divide this Central Southern Community. We are told the 'Regions' are meant to be more Democratic and bring Government closer to the people - yet the Ministries in London are far more accessible than remote Taunton either by road, rail or air.

Traditionally, our Constitution has been entrusted to our Elected Government, for a period of five years, then to be handed back, intact. Now irrevocable changes are being made, at huge expense, for which no benefits have been shown. The Bill will take power away from Local Government, and eventually Westminster, into the hands of an undemocratic 'Federal Europe' without the express wish of United Kingdom Subjects.

John Riddington

Archive Winter 2003 | next

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