The Parliamentary divide (From Gazette & Herald)

The Parliamentary divide

JOHN Prescott was in York on Monday, beating the drum for his proposed elected regional assembly for Yorkshire and Humber.

The deputy prime minister said that a 'yes' vote in next autumn's referendum would see the regional assembly becoming a reality early in the next parliament.

The assembly would get an annual budget of £570m and control over a further £1.1 billion, which is currently spent by Government quangos, he said.

"I like to call it the 'Great North Vote'. We are not going to decide it. You make the decision. I'm looking forward to taking part in the debate in all three northern regions over the coming year as part of our campaign."

He said he believed the assembly would give the North of England more say over issues such as jobs, business, housing and tourism.

With two other regions in the north of England to vote on regional assemblies, Mr Prescott later referred to the prospect of them linking up to force more funding out of Whitehall. They could, he said use their "hell of a clout" to copy the Scots and Welsh in securing extra cash.

However, he stopped short of saying that Yorkshire was currently under-funded and warned that central government would not give up overall control of how cash was allocated unless there were "powerful political forces for it".

He also said that York could be a front-runner as the seat of any new mini-parliament.

He said the regional assembly would make it easier for the area to cope with disasters like the Selby Rail Crash as the assembly would have responsibility for Fire and Rescue. At the moment, fire and police cannot operate outside their local authority region. Equipment has to be placed at a regional level.

Billed as 'Your Say', Mr Prescott's campaign includes a new leaflet setting out details of an elected regional assembly, a website and other promotional material.

Opponents of regional government says the budget Mr Prescott set out is in fact the amount that is currently spent in the region. The estimated cost of an elected assembly is put at £25m per year.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire and Humber MEP Timothy Kirkhope (Con) has claimed there is no substantial support in the region for an elected assembly.

In response to Mr Prescott's York visit Mr Kirkhope said: "I have spoken to many people in the region and can say that from my enquiries I have found this to be a proposal with no substantial support. Prescott's campaign itself is no doubt already costing tax payers, then there will be the cost of the vote and, should there be an assembly.

"Can we expect another massive payout for an assembly building, as has happened in Scotland?"

He added: "John Prescott is proposing a costly talking shop with few actual powers, which would be a drain on taxpayers in Yorkshire and the Humber."

Updated: 09:22 Wednesday, November 05, 2003