REGARDING the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's report which stated Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is to head a campaign which aims to give people more information relating to proposed plans for the Regional Assembly -- including, apparently 'input' from firms and business within the area.

Now, prior to the borough council's proposed options being decided, the Electoral Commission clearly stated that public consultation must take place before any options are put forward to them.

Due to the vast amount of public consultations that must have taken place, I fail to see why we must now endure this apparent afterthought. In fact, why even have a referendum now that the public opinion has been considered?

The answers are plain. The public were never consulted. Instead we ended up with more political manoeuvring, disregard toward other councils and our public and what we are about to receive -- I can assure you all -- is the blatant promotion of Regional Assemblies in the run-up to a contrived and manipulated 'referendum.'

The Government and those that have contrived with this evil plot are a disgrace to the nation and traitors to our countrymen.

ROBIN J EVANS, British National Socialist Councillor, Mill Hill Ward, Blackburn.