THE main argument in favour of a directly elected regional assembly for the North West is that it will give us far more influence with Whitehall and Westminster.
Scotland and Wales already enjoy the advantages of their own Parliament and Assembly. There is little doubt that the North East of England and the Yorkshire and Humberside Region will also vote to have a form of regional government. If the North West fails to vote positively in the referendum next year, it will lose out yet again.
As far as our district is concerned, an obvious example is transport and traffic. Lancashire County Council with support from Lancaster City Council have been trying for some 20 years to gain approval and funding for a new road link from Heysham to the M6 and an associated scheme to ease traffic congestion over the bridges and in central
Lancaster.
The sad reality is that nothing is going to happen unless somehow or other we can 'raise our game' with Whitehall. The backing of a new directly elected regional assembly for the North West could make all the difference.
Professor Stanley Henig, Lancaster
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article