RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has backed Lancashire County Council's Labour leadership over its decision to cancel its subscription to the North West Regional Assembly.
The decision last week followed claims that the unelected Assembly has been using ratepayers money to illegally campaign for further powers.
Shadow Cabinet member Mr Evans said: "Unusually, I support County Leader Hazel Harding's decision to cancel the subscription to the Assembly.
"It's unacceptable ratepayers' money is being spent campaigning for a referendum for a regional government and I'm completely behind the council's decision to pull the plug.
"Ratepayers will welcome the move. However, the recoup of the £47,470 will do nothing to stem the spiralling county rates bill.
"No other public body is allowed to spend money in such a political way and I don't see why the Assembly should be any different.
"This is another sign the Government is trying to pull a fast-one with regional government. Far from a referendum on regional devolution being fair, we know the Government will do anything it can to demolish the shire counties and force a regional assembly upon the North West."
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