Ten Reasons to Say "NO" to an Elected
Regional Assembly

1. A 'new tier' of paid politicians is not needed, nor has it been demonstrated that 'the will of the people' has any desire for elected regional government. more>>

2. There will be no extra money from the Government or the European Union. more>>

3. An Assembly will have no real powers. An elected Assembly will have no power over health, education and law and order and would therefore not be able to create a single extra nurse, doctor, teacher or police officer. It would have no power over transport, and would therefore not have the ability to dual the A1 for which many people in the region have campaigned for years. more>>

4. An Assembly will be able to precept council tax to pay for itself, resulting in higher council tax bills for local ratepayers. more>>

5. An Assembly will require a new building, again at great public expense. Despite reassurances from local luminaries, the reality will be far different from the platitudes and rhetoric. Don't forget this is also OUR money. Just look at the huge costs in Scotland. more>>

6. Decision-making will be slowed down with the increased bureaucracy. more>>

7. More politicians would also slow down decision-making and hinder economic progress. It is businesses and entrepreneurs that generate the wealth needed to be able to not only maintain international competitiveness, but also be able to drive forward local initiatives. more>>

8. A regional assembly would be just another talking-shop for 'upgraded' local politicians and 'downgraded' national politicians. People on the streets are already saying it will be the 'usual suspects' and result in 'jobs for the boys.' more>>

9. This is not real 'devolution' and an Assembly of 25 members will not bring democracy 'closer to the people. more>>

10. Adding local government reorganisation to the referendum question as an 'afterthought' has created further problems, confusion and uncertainty. more>>