Press Release
Thursday 15th July 2004

 

Peoples' Campaign widens support and appoints a new Chairman

 

The North East No Campaign has appointed Judith Wallace  as Chairman. An active, dedicated volunteer and former solicitor Judith heads up the growing non / cross party coalition which is pulling in support from across the region. Judith states:

"The Elected Regional Assembly we are being offered is fake devolution. It has no real powers beyond the ability to raise our Council Tax. I look forward to working very closely with Neil and the rest of the No Campaign to ensure that we achieve a No vote in November."

Campaign Director, Neil Herron comments,

" It is great that someone of Judith's calibre is prepared to take a major role in our campaign organisation. The number of supporters from across the region and from all walks of life is growing by the day. We intend to create the broadest coalition possible because it will be down to the people of the North East to reject Prescott's ill-conceived, ill-thought out and unwanted proposal."

 

Now that a date for the referendum, 4th November, has been confirmed support is growing across the region. here are a few comments from some No Campaign supporters...

 

Allan Pond, Whitley Bay -Teacher: "An Assembly would be a toothless talking shop, a party political playground and Prescott's poodle."

Mr D.White, Gateshead - Commercial Finance Broker: "I'm worried that having regional assemblies will set region against region within our country. I also believe that Gateshead Council is already one of the best in the country. I'm concerned that an assembly will just fritter our money away, just as the Scottish Parliament has done. The sheer cost of another layer of government will be enormous."

Jean Martin, Monkseaton - Nurse: "I am completely opposed to another expensive layer of government."

Mr E.D. Smith, Newcastle - Retired Teacher: "This plan to have regional assemblies is clearly intended to divide us into European zones. My native country, England, is being divided into segments, to be ruled by the EU. I am also concerned about the historical aspect; we have ancient counties, and I see no benefit in meddling with them. There will inevitably be local resentment about whichever location is chosen as the centre for any assembly. I also feel that the small number of elected representatives will be too remote from the electorate."

Edmund Hall, Wallsend - Retired, Rotary Club Chairman: "I don't know anyone who actually wants this new tier of paid politicians."

Tom Wanless, Burnopfield - Trade Unionist: "An assembly will be just be a toothless talking shop."

Martin Rouse, Burnopfield - FSB member, Builder: "I do not wish to see the beginning of the break-up of the United Kingdom into little, squabbling regions bypassing Westminster and having to deal directly with, and controlled by, the EU." 

Don Elsom, Stanley - Retired school caretaker: "I can see no benefit to the North East from an assembly: it will be another layer of politicians putting their hands in the pot and taking money out."

Mrs Elsie Doyle, Murton - Retired: "Our MPs should be demanding the abolition of the Barnett Formula which is so unfair to the North East, instead of wasting time with an Assembly. An Assembly won't bring any extra money here."

Mark Wallace, Durham - Student: "An Assembly will do nothing to solve the problems of people in the North East. Its basically powerless."

Professor Mike Jones, Chester-le-Street - Retired University Lecturer: "My primary objection to the establishment of a Regional Assembly at this time and by piecemeal methods (in the Northern Regions first) is that the regional question is in essence constitutional and needs to be examined both in the context of a U.K. settlement and above all that of the E.U. Constitution."

John Temperley, Whitley Bay - Company Director: "I am totally against a N.E. Assembly."

Mr P Harvey, South Shields - Retired: "An Assembly will have no real power to improve our area: it could even make the A1 into a dual carriageway, but one thing it will do is to cost us more council tax."

Mansell Wetherell, Newcastle - Web Marketing Manager: "Mr Prescott has been promoting a Regional Assembly for a long time, but we still don't know what we're being offered. The Government refuses to be specific and won't answer legitimate questions as to the powers any assembly would have".

Rosie Attwell, Cramlington - Retired Nurse: "I am worried about the amount of money an Assembly would cost us."

Colin Moran, Sunderland: Motor Dealer: " The lack of support from the Prime Minister for an Elected Assembly confirms my suspicions that Prescott is on his own. If this was a car I was selling I would already be on the phone to the scrap yard."

Annmarie Stobbs, Sunderland - Office Administrator: "I cannot see how an Assembly would benefit Sunderland. We already play second fiddle to Newcastle."

There are residents throughout the area, in all walks of life, who are opposed to a Regional Assembly; from Blyth to Thornaby, from Swarland to Prudhoe, from Eglingham to Stanley, from Morpeth to Stockton.