Did you vote for a single unitary authority for Northumberland in 2004? (Hexham Liberal Democrats)

Hexham Liberal Democrats <info@hexhamlibdems.org.uk>

Did you vote for a single unitary authority for Northumberland in 2004?

October 27, 2007 12:00 AM

You may have done but the overwhelming majority voted for an urban/ rural split - two unitary authorities. So why is it that 3 years later we are having a single authority imposed by this Labour government?

The Government have said that it is to make local government more efficient. But of course we know from experience that large organisations, unless properly managed, can be a disaster.

We are assured that the new unitary will be starting afresh. Let us hope that is true and that the councillors who could be elected to a shadow authority in May 2008, don't include many of the disastrous Labour councillors who have failed so badly on the old County Council.

So much for Gordon Brown making speeches about democracy. The truth is they don't trust the electorate and won't have an election unless the law demands it.