18/10/04

Should this be true fact, then full speed ahead.

Would someone in the know, if anyone really is in the know, please confirm for dead certain that the assembly would be prepared to move into an existing building?

Is there any truth in the rumour that a site has already been reserved on Aykley Heads for an entirely new building to house the elected assembly? - Mr Strahan, Sherburn, Durham.

I HAVE never read so much unadulterated rubbish as in the past few weeks from the Yes for the North East Assembly camp.

Despairing as I, and many like me, are of politicians of all parties, I am absolutely sure that in the event of a Yes vote the trough will be well and truly guzzled by no-hopers and nobodies only thinking of themselves. The taxpayer again, will be expected to subsidise.

In my thinking, we have elected MPs who are sent to Westminster to represent us in our communities. Why can't these already elected individuals get their heads together, meet in the North-East and draw up policies for the North-East which can be taken to Westminster and be aired on our behalf?

This is no more or less than what is expected of them. We don't need another layer of costly bureaucrats. Get your acts together and put aside your puerile party politicking and put the region first. - PL Hann, Heighington.

R HARBRON (Echo, Oct 11) expresses a point with which I fully agree.

It has been stated in your columns that no alternative to the proposed regional assembly has been put forward. But, as Mr Harbron implies, the alternative is already there.

If these were widely known, discussed and, if need be, amended I am sure the result would prove to be far more effective than a regional assembly. - E Hill, Darlington.

IN reference to a regional assembly, I am puzzled and worried at what I think is deceit and connivance of the powers that be in this Government.

Previous to the year 1066 these islands of ours were a series of little kingdoms continually warring with each other and subject to invasion from across the seas from Europe.

Then along came William from France.

He started the welding of these kingdoms into one strong force and to this day no other nation has invaded these shores. Though many have tried.

Over all this time we have bumbled and blundered along, but if a league table of the world was compiled we have always been near the top.

Now we have people who want to change this. They have granted autonomy to Wales and Scotland and are offering to do the same for the North-East of England.

Further to this, I have just read the report of Gordon Brown's visit to the area, expounding the need of self-government. If so, why have we elected MPs to govern the country as a whole and yet have an assembly that will be bickering and fighting with its neighbouring assemblies, each for their own corner?

That puts us back to little kingdoms in and an assent to authority over us and subjugate us to its rule.

In an ideal world this would be a good thing, but it is not an ideal world and never well be, unfortunately no matter how idealists strive. Has not the ideal of communism proved that? - W Rutter, Bishop Auckland.

AM I the only voter in the regional electorate to be annoyed at the "Names" who are paraded as being in favour or against the new regional assembly?

Whatever the merits or achievements of these people, I am completely unconvinced that this gives them any kind of mandate in advising their fellow citizens on how to cast their votes.

Truly we live in an age where bloated egos stalk the land. - Martin Birtle, Billingham.

I DO not wish for the status quo but realise that there are rules and formulas that, given a slight tweak, would benefit the region, without the need for an expensive assembly. The Barnett Formula, which offers capital per head of population, could instantly assist.

Britain recently voted against pro-EU policies, yet the 'Yes' campaign will deceive the electorate into thinking this is driven from within when it is clearly a directive from Brussels.

Can anyone seriously suggest that removing a tier of local government, be it district or county, whom both insist are doing good jobs, and replacing it with regional government, will bring democracy closer to the people? It's the opposite.

With 40 MPs acting for the region, are we suggesting 25 assembly members will do a better job, given their mandate is full of possibly control this, could help here, maybe have a say there, but Westminster will ultimately make the last decision on everything?

Politicians replicate. First you have 25, then a secretary, secretary's assistant, policy makers and strategists, coordinators and outreach workers, before we know it they'll be organising afternoon meetings to discuss the morning meeting.

Politicians are pushing this, for themselves, for that's what they do best. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.