BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has told the Prime Minister to let the North West vote on an elected regional assembly.
He is one of several MPs to sign a letter on the issue sent to Tony Blair.
The move follows the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill receiving the Royal Assent last week, and the end of the consultation exercise allowing individuals and organisations to express interest in a referendum on the issue of an elected regional assembly.
Mr Pike said: "I am happy to add my name to a letter which applauds the Labour Government for honouring its commitment to consulting on regional government because I strongly support devolving power to those regions where there is a strong sense of regional identity as in the North West.
"The end of the consultation marks an historic opportunity and the Government must now decide which regions will go forward in the first wave and hold an actual referendum to make real progress towards achieving a regional assembly.
"I fully recognise that there is a mistrust in Burnley at the moment about creating a regional assembly for the North West, but I firmly believe that when people understand what it would mean for them they will agree with me that it is vital for Burnley and will be a positive step forward."
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