Regional Assemblies .co.uk


	GORDON BROWN AXES REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES BY 2010 - But the unelected Regional Development Agencies are handed new powers When the news finally came it was a bit of a surprise. On 25 July 2007 Gordon Brown, in one of his first major decisions as the new Prime Minister, decided to abolish regional assemblies from 2010. It is a decision to be applauded as the regional assembly system was deeply unpopular with the British public - proven by the North East referendum which resulted in 78% saying No. Remember too that the North East was craftily chosen as the area most likely to produce a positive response! The battle continues against regionalisation as the unelected Regional Development Agencies are to be beefed up and given new powers including development and planning. Read more about the drive to regional government on this site. Tony Bennett who has helped lead the campaign against Regional Assemblies has just produced an excellent article for the British Church Newspaper on this subject. Tony and the British Church Newspaper have kindly granted us permission to publish the article on our website. It is published below: Abolition of regional assemblies is defeat for C of E Bishops - by Tony Bennett There was delight amongst campaigners against regional assemblies when one of the announcements of the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown - on 25 July - was that they will be abolished from 2010. It represents a major government U-turn and was justifiably hailed as a victory by the U.K. Independence Party and other eurosceptic groups who have long campaigned against them. Unelected regional assemblies were set up in the late 1990s as part of the government’s adherence to the agenda of the European Union to break up the power of national Parliaments. England was divided into nine regions, including London. The intention was for each of these unelected assemblies to become elected - and for England to be governed by nine regional Parliaments, each – like the London Assembly - being given powers currently held by Westminster. The plan always was to take some of the powers of national Parliaments up to the various European institutions and others down to a more local level, thus leaving national Parliaments with little to do, hastening calls for their demise. Very few are aware that the official title of the European Union is ‘The European Union of the Regions’ - not of the nations. The government’s plans received a major setback when, in 2004, the people of the so-called ‘North East Region’ rejected an elected regional assembly by 78% to 22%, despite major political figures and the Bishop of Durham trying to drum up support for it. The abolition of the assemblies represents a major defeat for some of the most prominent Bishops in the Church of England. As this newspaper featured on a regular basis, Bishops such as the Bishops of Durham, Liverpool, Exeter and Peterborough not only argued the case for regional assemblies but also chaired key meetings in favour of elected assemblies or sat on committees promoting them. The 9 English regions remain very much in place, however. Gordon Brown has appointed a Government Minister for each region. Some of the powers of regional assemblies will be transferred to unelected regional development agencies - which concern themselves with development and planning issues - while unelected quangos will take over other functions. Many services have been transferred from County level to regional level, such as the ambulance service and trading standards. Government attempts to regionalise policed and fire services have stalled, but are expected to be revived. In the meantime the destruction of Counties continues, with Bedfordshire scheduled to be the latest County to disappear - as four of its district merge to form two unitary authorities, along with Luton. The County Council will disappear, just as Berkshire did in 1998. Published in the British Church Newspaper on 17 August 2007, the newspaper is available by subscription of £15 per annum for 24 issues from 45 Rushy Way, Emerson's Green, Bristol BS16 7ER. The newspaper has a dedicated Europe correspondent. Website: britishchurchnewspaper.co.uk ........................................................................ LEFT-WING THINK TANK PUBLISHES A 'SCATHING REPORT' ENDORSED BY LABOUR MINISTERS AND PUTS FUTURE OF REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES IN DOUBT An article published on thisislondon.co.uk looks at a report published by the left-wing think tank New Local Government Network. The report looked at the cost of the regional assemblies, regional development agencies and government offices and found that across the nine English regions the taxpayer was being charged at least £360 million a year - double the level of just 5 years ago. The report acknowledged that the rejection of the North West regional assembly was 'overwhelming' and that without the backing of elected politicians regional assemblies would 'look out of touch or marginalised'. The report called into question the future of regional assemblies and said that they should consider their 'own redesign before they suffered erosion of confidence'. The report focuses on the lack of accountability in the present assemblies and said 'Improving accountability will be particularly challenging to the existing regional assemblies, who often face a significantly altered role or even abolition. "it is in our view important to first secure the assent of of local government and regional MPs in their preferred governance arrangements, rather than strive to retain the existing regional assembly arrangements at all costs." The report was written by former minister Chris Leslie and received support from Treasury ministers Ed Balls and John Healey. The article from thisislondon.co.uk can be viewed at the following link http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23387810-details/Scathing+report+throws+future+of+regional+assemblies+into+doubt/article.do EERA meeting to discuss 10,000 new homes in Bedfordshire is held in Hertfordshire Bedfordshire residents recently got a taste of life under regional government instead of our historic county system of local government. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) arranged a meeting on 23 February 2006 to discuss 10,000 new homes in rural Bedfordshire, yet chose to hold the meeting in Letchworth, Herts. They also sent out a Press release at the very last minute which gave local newspapers very little chance to produce any editorial content. The Bedford Times & Citizen newspaper included the following in a stop press comment on 17 February 2006: '...this note was sent just a few hours before we go to press. Then we saw the date of the meeting: Thursday, February 23, at 9am. So if we did not publicise the meeting here and now, it would be too late for members of the public to find out about it. And then we saw the location of the meeting: The Spirella Ballroom. In Letchworth. Which is in Hertfordshire. A suspicious person might imagine that this would be the ideal way for an unpopular organisation to keep a controversial issue as far out of the public eye as possible...' The leaflet that exposes SEERA Jenny Sleep has produced a nice leaflet that is being used in the South East Region to great effect to expose the work of SEERA (South East Regional Assembly). Please click here to read a copy SEERA EXPOSED Sustainability and Regional Government go hand in hand Two of our most active resistance members recently attended a 'Sustainable Development' convention held by the 'Forum for the Future' organisation and hosted by Jonathon Porritt CBE at the Guildhall London. Sustainability is being used as a political tool to help drive regional and world government forward. The conference itself was entitled 'Celebrating Sustainable Development in the Regions' and subtitled 'Regions to be cheerful'. Read our correspondent's report at this link - Regions to be Cheerful? The Rev Philip Foster, Vicar of St Matthews Church, Cambridge and an active opponent of regional government has just published a timely booklet entitled 'Sustainability - the new religion' cost just £1 (inc p and p) from: St Matthew Publishing Ltd, 24 Geldart St, Cambridge, CB1 2LX - Tel: 01223 504871 - Fax: 01223 512304 - Email: PF.SMP@dial.pipex.com ......................................................................... AND NOW IT'S STARTING TO HAPPEN ! - Cheshire County Council start the ball rolling by anouncing their intention to quit the NWRA We've just heard that Tory controlled Cheshire County Council are about to give a years notice of their intention to leave the North West Regional Assembly. Neil Herron (the champion of the North East Referendum) has started a blog on this subject. If you would like to read the blog and find a link to the Northwich Guardian which printed this story please click here - Neil Herron's blog on Cheshire Council leaving NWRA - Let's hope that plenty of Tory councillors read the blog and start the ball rolling in their own councils. Well done to the leaders of Cheshire County Council. Please also remember to keep up to date with a good supply of news at the blogspot run by Neil Herron - www.neilherron.blogspot.com .............................................................................. AND NOW THE BAD NEWS! LOCAL TORY POLITICIANS IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND (Many would prefer the term COLLABORATORS) THINK THEY KNOW BETTER THAN THE PUBLIC - THEY APPEAR TO HAVE NO INTENTION OF ABANDONING JOHN PRESCOTT'S REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES - IN PETERBOROUGH THEY EVEN BLOCKED AN INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR'S MOTION TO LEAVE EERA TORY CHAIRMAN OF THE EAST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY (EERA) SAYS THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY IS "EXTREMELY COMPETENT" We have been sent a copy of a piece that appeared in the East Anglian Daily News. It appears that the Tory Chairman of EERA has no plans to vacate her post and help scrap the assembly - instead she describes it as "extremely competent". Sue Sida-Lockett, the Tory Chairman of the un-elected East of England Regional Assembly (EERA), finds herself at the centre of an increasingly bitter stand-off between Conservative MPs and Government ministers on how to administer English devolution. But when Rayleigh's MP Mark Francois called in the Commons for their abolition, he was taunted by Mr Raynsford, who to the absolute delight of Labour MPs, quoted Mrs Sida-Lockett as saying: "Despite the North East vote, there will still be a requirement for effective regional planning functions, provision of democratic mandate for the regions and effective scrutiny of other regional bodies - a role in which the assembly and other chambers have shown themselves to be extremely competent." PETERBOROUGH'S TORY COUNCILLORS BLOCK MOTION TO LEAVE THE EAST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY On 3rd November Steve Lane, an independent councillor in Peterborough put forward a motion at a full council meeting (see below) which, if passed, would have seen Peterborough Council leave EERA. Tory members had other ideas and used their overall majority to block Cllr Lane's wise motion. We are extremely grateful to Councillor Lane for putting forward this motion and submitting the following report. If the Tory party and their local representatives are so out of touch with public opinion then they will never form another government. Can anyone bring them to their senses? Motion from Councillor Lane: The vision “To make Peterborough the place to be in the East of England” implies a leadership that can offer its people confidence for the future. Council is aware that an important factor towards achieving this vision is the availability and maximisation of financial resources. In its role as both service provider and community leader, this Council has always strived to achieve a high standard of quality and value for money. We should therefore determine that membership of the East of England Regional Assembly is unnecessary and does not offer value for money - being mindful that annual subscription to an unelected and distant assembly is at odds with the need to make efficiency savings. It is recommended that Council gives immediate notice to unsubscribe from membership of the East of England Regional Assembly - and avoid further absorption and misuse of Council Tax-payer’s money that would be better spent on local services. Unfortunately the motion failed, 42 - 7, thanks to a massive block vote by all Conservative members (Of which there are 33 of the 56 seats). POLITICIANS TALK - WE PAY by Councillor Steve Lane The emphatic result of the North-East of England referendum on 4th November will be remembered as the first occasion that allowed people to speak out on the ‘regionalisation’ of England. Common sense prevailed and this popular result has since released a cry to disband all regional assemblies. Nationally there are Conservative Party leaders, along with most of their MPs - and Peterborough’s local candidate, Stewart Jackson, who are opposed to regional assemblies. They consider that even the current unelected bodies are an unnecessary, unwanted and expensive talking shop, whilst we pay through our council tax for an assembly that has no accountability, no mandate and no legitimacy. What is not so widely known, though, is that all of Peterborough’s Conservative councillors prefer to ignore their own party’s message - and insist on surrender to this self-appointed body. A recent motion - that Peterborough should unsubscribe from the distant and unelected East of England Regional Assembly was debated but subsequently defeated. Surprisingly, this is the first time that membership of the Assembly has been debated in the council chamber, and yet the Conservative vote was so unanimous, even though their speakers said they sympathised with the motion. The vote was a disappointment, to say the least, and they have effectively shown a disregard to national opinion, not to mention what the people of Peterborough may think of it. The abject surrender to continued interference from this quango will dictate local planning and management of our resources - and leave us with no say in this city’s future. I would hope that some sense of reason will soon return, along with a ‘truly’ local government. Steve Lane Independent Councillor Werrington North .................................................................... EERA WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR 478,000 NEW HOMES - SOUNDS GOOD - BUT READ THE SMALL PRINT - THEY WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO FUND A MASSIVE ROAD AND TRANSPORT SCHEME FIRST The large contingent of Tories on the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) were instrumental in getting the Assembly to withdraw support for 478,000 homes in the six counties of our region. They have hailed it as a triumph, but before homeowners celebrate they ought to read the reason why. The assembly said it was because it "deplores the Government's grossly inadequate funding" and John Reynolds, the Tory chairman of the assembly's planning panel, said it was because of the "failure of the Government to find funding for road and transport links" (Daily Telegraph 14/12/04). So there you have it - as soon as the Government finds the money to fund massive road and transport links in the East of England then EERA will no longer object. So you'll have 478,000 new homes and bigger and busier roads thanks to the Tory members of EERA. The sooner they disband the assembly and return local planning issues to the local councils the better. ............................................................... "Tories plot abolition of SE regional assembly" Wokingham Times, 24/11/04 After years of sitting on New Labour's unelected regional assemblies and using local taxpayers money for the privilege, it appears that the Conservatives have finally seen the error of their ways. The Wokingham Times this week reported that Wokingham's top councillor plans to get the South East Regional Assembly to abolish itself at its AGM next March. Its report included the following: "Cllr Frank Browne, Conservative leader of Wokingham District Council, will be putting forward a motion to get rid of the assembly, claiming central government's failure to install a regional assembly in the North East - somewhere the Government expected devolved power to succeed - proves no one wants regional assemblies." Councillor Browne went on in the article to say "Conservatives have been consistently against setting up a further level of government with even more politicians." We at RegionalAssemblies.co.uk would have to differ with Cllr Browne on that point, and would point to very little support from any Conservative councillors prior to the North East referendum result, to get them to withdraw funding and councillors from the regional assemblies. We do however wish Councillor Browne well with his plans and hope that his fellow Tory councillors (who nearly make up a majority on SEERA) join him in voting to abolish SEERA. We would hope that Cllr Browne has a plan B that will see funding and councillors withdraw from the regional assembly if they cannot get a majority vote. This would have the same effect and is long overdue. 78% Say No John Prescott chose the North East Region as the sole area for a referendum on the prospect of elected regional assemblies. His carefully calculated move was to secure a positive result in the hope that the other seven regions would then fall like a pack of cards. Alas, the best New Labour could muster was a derisory 22% and the plan to divide England up into EU designated regions is 'all but over'. We say 'all but over' as the eight unelected regional assemblies created by Mr Prescott are still in existence and there are no plans to dismantle them. However, these unelected regional assemblies are largely funded by local taxpayers through voluntary subscriptions and Conservative led councils are amongst the worst culprits in funding New Labour's regionalisation dream. Caroline Spellman, the Conservative spokesman for the regions has said that Mr Prescott should apologise for wasting £10m on his "pipe dream" and that his project was "history". Perhaps Conservative led councils should also offer an apology to their taxpayers for helping Mr Prescott establish his "pipe dream". At the very least they should immediately cease funding the unelected regional assemblies and remove all Conservative councillors from the committees that run the assemblies. Then the project really would be "history" and we could happily close this website! We all thank Neil Herron and his fantastic team in the North East No Campaign who helped produce this excellent result which is for the good of all the citizens of England. BEDFORDSHIRE CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR ISSUES PRESS RELEASE CALLING FOR WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDING TO REGIONAL ASSEMBLY Bedfordshire Conservative Councillor (and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Luton South) Richard Stay issued a press release on 9 November calling for funding to be withdrawn from the Regional Assembly. This move (if it is acted upon) is long overdue and we are thankful to Mr Stay for getting the ball rolling. One thing is sure, if Conservative councils are still funding regional assemblies by the time of the next General Election it will be another nail in the coffin of the Conservative party. Most of Mr Stay's press release is reproduced below: 'John Prescott's vision for a Regional Government, based many miles from Luton is now dead in the water. Had this crazy scheme gone ahead, then the people of Luton would have seen many of the decisions now taken locally taken in Cambridge or Ipswich. Hardly an improvement in local democracy' 'I will everything I can to kill of the whole idea of Regionalisation, which is essentially a European concept. It does nothing for local people and adds yet another layer of local Government when what we need is less Government, not more' 'I am calling on all the local authorities to withdraw their subscriptions from the Regional Assembly' .................................................... A Petition to abolish the South East of England Regional Assembly was presented to SEERA Chief Executive Paul Bevan at le MERIDIEN HOTEL, GATWICK AIRPORT on 21 July by retired Major John Gouriet accompanied by Commodore Diana Barnato-Walker & also by Captain Delphine Gray-Fisk. Please click on PETITION TO ABOLISH SEERA to read a report and see a photo of the petition handover ............................................................ CAMPAIGNING IS EFFECTIVE! PHOTO BELOW OF A DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON ON 7TH APRIL 2004 OUTSIDE A WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY (SEERA) - TO READ A REPORT FILED BY ONE OF THE DEMONSTRATORS CLICK HERE ............................................................. *UNELECTED REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES ARE CREATING LARGE NUMBERS OF PENSIONABLE JOBS - WHO'S FUNDING THIS ? AND WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LONG TERM LIABILITIES* ? You are !! Robert Theobald has discovered that the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) has been busily creating large numbers of permanent pensionable jobs. This is happening despite the fact that EERA is an unelected regional assembly, formed without any public support, and certainly not assured of any permanent future. EERA is largely funded by taxpayers through subscriptions from local authorities. In the planning team alone 11.5 (3 part time) pensionable jobs have been created. What's more, if EERA was wound up (i.e. if New Labour's regionalisation plans fail) the liabilities (i.e. pensions) would fall upon the local authorities. EERA have confirmed '...and should the Assembly require to be wound up then there is provision for apportioning the liabilities which would fall on the constituent member authorities detailed in the Assembly's Constitution'. Read Robert's interesting correspondence as he asks EERA's Regional Planning Chairman - Councillor John Reynolds if these arrangements are legal. Click here PENSIONABLE JOBS AT EERA (the letters appear below the SEERA Petition item) Please consider writing similar letters to your Regional Assembly, copy in your MP and then ask your local councils whether they have approved this extra staffing and the long term liabilities that YOU (the taxpayer) will be expected to pay. Remember also that in many regions the Regional Assembly Planning Team is actually fighting head to head with local councils over housing requirements. And you're funding both sides! ................................................................ NEWS FROM THE SOUTH WEST UK Independence Party Member Peter Martin-Kaye has kindly provided a report entitled 'What's Cooking with the South West Regional Assembly?'. It details the undemocratic nature of these Regional Assemblies, the lack of demand from anyone (other than the same political elite) for this extra layer of government, and the effectiveness of constant campaigning right from the start by a determined and patriotic group. Click here to read Peter's report. ............................................................ NORTH EAST NO CAMPAIGN - WEBSITE LAUNCHED The North East No Campaign have launched a super website packed with information for the public. To visit the website click on the link below. The campaign director is Neil Herron and contact details can also be found on our Resistance Groups page: www.northeastnocampaign.co.uk ............................................................ Lord Stoddart of Swindon - Chairman of the Campaign for an Independent Britain rejects regionalisation - read his article by clicking here Lord Stoddart ............................................................. FREDERICK FORSYTH INVITED TO BECOME AN 'EAST OF ENGLAND AMBASSADOR' Best selling author (Day of the Jackal etc) Frederick Forsyth recently received a surprise letter from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) inviting him to become an 'East of England Ambassador'. Known for his patriotic views and love of England, would he become the latest celeb to join EEDA's propaganda campaign? Would he too be lured by the title 'Ambassador'? Read Mr Forsyth's response to EEDA by clicking here - Frederick Forsyth -Response to EEDA ............................................................... BBC BIAS (again!) 17 TIMES MORE AIRTIME TO THE PRO REGIONALISATION CAMPAIGN - But Tony Bennett was monitoring it. In a recent Radio 4 broadcast about elected regional assemblies the pro regionalisation campaign was boosted by 17 times more airtime. In a quite unbelievably one sided 'discussion' the opponents of regionalisation were allowed a mere 15 seconds of airtime against the 260 seconds allowed to those pushing for elected regional assemblies. Fortunately, Tony Bennett was monitoring the broadcast and the facts have been sent to the BBC in a letter of complaint. Click on the link below to read the facts and please send letters to the BBC if you encounter similar biased reporting. Tony Bennett's letter of complaint to the BBC BBCbias.org - Visit the Campaign against BBC Bias. A very informative website giving much information on biased BBC reporting and what actions some people are taking so that their licence fee is not used to promote BBC biased reporting. Click on the BBCBias.org link. .............................................................. A DIARY ACCOUNT OF THE REGIONALISATION OF BRITAIN Bryan Smalley has produced a very helpful diary account of the Regionalisation of Britain including key facts that the British Public need to know. You won't find this information on any Government website but click here to read it now - Diary Account of the Regionalisation of Britain by Bryan Smalley .............................................................. CONSERVATIVE COUNCIL MAKE STAND AGAINST THE EU REGIONAL THREAT NEWS 25/9/03 - MID BEDS TORIES VOTE TO WITHHOLD CONTRIBUTION TO THE EAST OF ENGLAND BRUSSELS OFFICE At a meeting of Mid Beds District Council on 17 September 2003 the Conservative majority voted to withhold their subscription to the East of England Brussels office. Unsurprisingly the Liberal Democrats denounced the decision, alleging that the Mid Beds region would miss out on all sorts of benefits, but Conservative Councillor Lewis Birt was upbeat when he told the Bedfordshire on Sunday newspaper "We voted against the subscription as we felt we could access all the same information through an alternative software package at a much cheaper price. This decision also has helped to get rid of another layer of bureaucracy we just do not need. If we carried on as a member we would be supporting all sorts of European rubbish." This is a major breakthrough in the battle against EU regional government. Please put pressure on your local councils to withhold payments to Regional Assemblies and the Brussels offices that your taxpayers money is being used to support. If you hear of similar successes please email our website with information at mail@regionalassemblies.co.uk and we will try to post the information here in due course. Finally, congratulations to Councillor Lewis Birt and the Mid Beds Tories who are showing such wise stewardship of their taxpayers funds. To the many Conservative led councils that continue to fund and assist Regional Assemblies and the many Brussels offices we would ask this one question. Why are you funding a system that will eventually lead to your own demise? If you truly believe in local democracy and local councils then you must halt these payments now and follow the courageous lead of Mid Beds District Council. It is a vote winner and with council taxes soaring local people will be pleased to hear that you have got "rid of another layer of bureaucracy". - see letter published in the Daily Telegraph on this subject on 6 Nov 2003 - click here - Letters to the Editor LATEST NEWS - ELEVEN NORTH EAST COUNCILS SUSPEND PAYMENT TO REGIONAL ASSEMBLY We have just been advised that 11 local councils in the North East have suspended subscriptions to the regional assembly. We will post full details of this development very shortly. Will councillors have to pay? is the title given to a letter published in the Western Morning News on 22 November 2003. Written by David Owen the tireless campaigner who heads up resistance against the South West Regional Assembly, he opens up the debate to suggest that local councillors may one day be held personally responsible for the monies transferred to the 'self established, self appointed and unaccountable regional assemblies'. Over the last few years, even the smallest local council has spent tens of thousands of taxpayers' money by funding this 'political adventure'. Read David Owen's excellent letter by clicking here Will councillors have to pay? .................................................................... LINDSAY JENKINS GOES LIVE!!** Many of you will have enjoyed hearing Lindsay Jenkins speak, or you may well have read her books. Lindsay is now a full time author, researcher, broadcaster and public speaker. She has dedicated a large part of her life to warning our nation about the perils posed by the European Union. Her books include Britain Held Hostage and The Last Days of Britain. Essential reading for all of you who dearly love our nation - packed with facts and information. Britain Held Hostage "reveals the masterminds behind Britain's submission of its sovereignty..." and The Last Days of Britain, her latest work, shows "how Brussels has hijacked Britain's political, economic, and judicial life." To find out about Lindsay's work, her books or to read a speech please click here - LindsayJenkins.com ............................................................................. ONE ENGLAND CAMPAIGN IS LAUNCHED Robert Theobald who heads up the resistance campaign in the East of England with Judy King is pleased to announce the launch of One England which will be a nationwide, all party, pressure group. Robert tells us that the author Frederick Forsyth devised the One England motto which perfectly describes the way all patriotic English people wish our country to stay. The domain name OneEngland.com has been purchased and as the campaign grows a separate website may be launched. Robert has purchased some One England rubber stamps which cost £5 for one or 10 for £25 inc p&p. All profits help fund the campaign. If you can help in any way please contact Robert on 01582 724644 or fax 01582 417867 or write to him at 127 Bushmead Road, Luton, Beds LU2 7YT. He will be very pleased to hear from you. ENGLAND'S NATIONAL TOURIST BOARD IS ABOLISHED (they say 'merged') To those people who still deny that the regionalisation of Britain is bad news for England then consider this. England no longer has its own national tourist board. It has been abolished (the authorities use the word 'merged') as a direct result of the regionalisation of Britain. Quite by chance the editor of this website, discovered that Wales and Scotland have their own national tourist boards and websites promoting their countries exclusively, whilst England's (which was called the English Tourism Council) was 'merged' with the British Tourist Authority on 1 April 2003. It's one of those 'mergers' that results in one partner losing it's identity for the new organisation is now called VisitBritain. I sent an e-mail using the feedback form on VisitEngland.com and, true to form, the reply was received from a Visit Britain website address and an email plastered in the term 'Visit Britain' but not a mention of 'Visit England'. After an exchange of emails, Visit Britain advised me 'Wales and Scotland have their own assemblies and agendas for promoting themselves here. The decision was made by the DCMS to merge ETC and BTA'. I was referred to www.culture.gov.uk the website of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport if I wanted any more information. Visit Britain will now be responsible for promoting tourism in England, in their own words they will 'market Britain to the rest of the world and England to the British' which begs the question who is going to market England to the rest of the world, and why should Wales and Scotland benefit from the marketing of this new London based organisation if they have decided to keep their own national tourist boards. The systematic destruction of England is occuring before our very eyes, they are eradicating us from the map, yet expect us to pay towards the upkeep, assemblies, and now the tourism of Wales and Scotland and then have the affront to tell us that regional government is good for our nation! Have you ever felt like a second class citizen? For full details of the exchange of e-mails please click here - Latest News ............................................................................. POSTCARDS TO THE QUEEN CAMPAIGN NO EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION WITHOUT A REFERENDUM If you are concerned at the imposition of a European Constitution (which is now being finalised) upon our country without having the chance to vote in a referendum, then you need to take action now. CREC (Campaign for a referendum on the European Constitution) have started a postcard campaign as detailed below. The following article is reprinted with the kind permission of the fortnightly national Christian Newspaper - The British Church Newspaper, a newspaper with a dedicated Europe correspondent who keeps readers right up to date with the latest EU news and eurosceptic events across the country. Priced at just £15 per annum subscriptions can be sent to - *The British Church Newspaper, Kingswood House, Pilcorn Street, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4AW - Tel: 01934 712520 "In our last issue, we reported on the new campaign by CREC (Campaign for a Referendum on the European Constitution) to inundate the Queen with numbered postcards calling for her to withhold the Royal Assent from any Bill to enact the proposed new European Union Constitution - until such time as the British people have voted on it in a fair referendum. Several readers have contacted British Church Newspaper asking how to order a supply of postcards for distribution to members of their church or organisation. The postcards, bearing the simple slogan: "NO European Constitution without a REFERENDUM", with a pre-printed request to the Queen on the other side calling for a referendum, are available at cost price from Mr Derek Norman, 9 Station Cottages, Brampton Road, HUNTINGDON, PE29 3BW (Tel 01480 435837) - 70p. for 10, or £6.50 for 100, including post and packing. Cheques should be made out to CREC." UPDATE 01/04/04 - 170,000 postcards now distributed!* Tony Bennett, Secretary of CREC has reported that 170,000 postcards have now been distributed. Orders average at 500 every day. All this has been achieved in under 12 months. It has been reported that Her Majesty the Queen has asked to be kept informed of the numbers of postcards that are being received. Well done to all at CREC. Fantastic campaign. ............................................................... Welcome to Regional Assemblies .co.uk - a regional assemblies information website. Britain has already been divided into 12 regional assemblies which form part of 110 regions of the European Union. The EU Committee of the Regions (COR) drew up England's new boundaries 17 years ago and is funding many pro-regional groups. The country of England has been replaced by 9 separate regional assemblies which will compete with each other and look to the EU (not Westminster) for funds and law making. They have already established offices in Brussels. This cunning plan to undermine the UK's national sovereignty is well underway. The London Assembly is already an elected body and is functioning as a separate regional parliament. The remaining eight regional assemblies in England are not elected bodies, however they will continue to operate whether or not they gain the electors approval in any referendum. If you haven't participated in the ongoing discussions about regional assemblies it is probably because you are not even aware of the existence of such meetings. Most regional assembly meetings are now by ticket only, minimal publicity, with invitations only being sent to known supporters of regional government. Even so, the pro-EU Constitutional Conventions (the bodies pushing for regional assemblies) are running up against staunch resistance from patriotic activists who now find out about meetings and request tickets. When outvoted by opponents of regionalisation, Constitutional Convention personnel have been known to re-convene meetings in locked rooms so that their plans to push ahead with regionalisation cannot be thwarted. The English Churchman newspaper included the following report on a meeting conducted in Exeter in July 2001: "At the last minute, the Rt Rev. M Langrish, Bishop of Exeter. pulled out of the second meeting of the controversial South West Constitutional Convention, a body set up to stimulate public demand for the abolition of Counties and their replacement by regional parliaments answerable to Brussels. The meeting on 13 July, attended by around 60 people from all over the South West, descended into farce, when those supporting regional parliaments were democratically outvoted by those opposed. The pro-regional parliament group then adjourned to a locked room elsewhere in the building, leaving the opponents of regional parliaments unable to participate further, but able to enjoy the buffet meal left on the table". In a letter to Bishop Langrish, Jenny Sleep, co-organiser of the campaign against regional assemblies said "The South West Constitutional Convention was not launched democratically...the regional parliament will not be a democratic institution from the grass roots up, but a dictatorship aided and abetted by the Church of England. It is time for you and your fellow Bishops to reflect deeply and truthfully on the sinister implications of this country being broken up and ruled by a foreign power". Rev. Philip Foster from St Matthews, C of E Church, Cambridge also wrote to all 43 diocesan Bishops explaining the hidden purpose of regionalisation. In his letter to Bishop Langrish he wrote "My very worst fears about this imposed parliament were most dramatically realised before my eyes and ears...we were faced with a demand that we either sign a paper approving regional parliaments or be asked to leave... I beg you and your fellow Bishops similarly engaged to withdraw from your frankly treasonous activities". If you are looking for sound information about regionalisation, from a website that is not aligned to any political party, then we hope you will enjoy this site. It has only recently been launched (Sept 2002) but is already proving very popular. Please visit again soon and also please consider giving active support to the tireless campaigners who head up the 'Resistance Groups' all around the country - click here for information on Resistance Groups. .................................................................. DEMONSTRATION IN WESTMINSTER, LONDON ON 10 DECEMBER 2002 WAS ALSO VERY SUCCESSFUL - FOR A FULL REPORT SEE 'REPORT ON DEMONSTRATIONS' PAGE OR CLICK HERE Reports on Demonstrations .................................................................................. DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE WINDSOR CASTLE ON 20 NOVEMBER 2002 WAS A GREAT SUCCESS - FOR A FULL REPORT SEE "WINDSOR DEMONSTRATION PAGE ON LEFT OR CLICK HERE Reports on Demonstrations For all enquiries about this site please contact: mail@regionalassemblies.co.uk