IT is a shame that Councillor Don Rishton (Letters, September 15) decided that those who oppose the Government plans for regional government do so from self-interest.

Some of us did not want the particularly lukewarm version of regional government on offer to be tied to a review of local government. That was the Government's decision.

As was the fact that the North West is being offered a form of regional government with less power than that available to Scotland or Wales.

A North West Assembly would not have the powers of the Scottish Parliament to run all domestic affairs or even the powers of the Welsh Assembly to opt out of Westminster decisions on education and health.

What I and many others want is proper devolution from Westminster, not the tokenism currently on offer. Then I would support any such offer irrespective of the consequences for me as an individual.

Until then, I oppose the Government plan and would urge people to vote 'No' next year.

COUNTY COUN CHRIS CHEETHAM, Lowcroft, Skelmersdale.