Downing Street Says » North East Referendum

» Friday, November 5, 2004

North East Referendum

Asked if the Prime Minster had spoken to the Deputy Prime Minister with regards to the North East Referendum result, the PMS said that she was not aware that they had spoken.

Asked what the Prime Minister’s thoughts on the results were, the PMS said that the Government had wanted to give the choice to the people of the North East. They had made their decision and we respected that decision.

Asked if the two other local referendums would go ahead, the PMS replied the Government wanted to take stock in those areas before a decision was made.

Asked why the Prime Minister visited the area only once, the PMS replied the visit had been part of the political campaign and not something she could comment on.

Asked if the recent referendum campaign had been a waste of money with regards to publicity, legislation etc, the PMS said that the Government would disagree. This was a devolution issue. Similar issues had been discussed in other parts of the country and people had voted in favour of more local accountability. The Government had wanted to give the people of the North East a choice, through referendum.

Asked if the Prime Minister still had full confidence in the Deputy Prime Minister, the PMS replied of course he did.

1 Comment »

"the Government wanted to take stock in those areas before a decision was made."

Why does the Government need to take stock before a decision is made?

"the Government had wanted to give the choice to the people of the North East."

Why does the Government need to take stock before a decision is made?

If the Government wanted the people of the North East to have a choice, why does it not want to give equally a choice to the people of the North and of the North West?

Is this not showing partiality towards one region over two others?

Or is it all part of a plan to quietly lose the proposals for the referenda in the North and North West behind a filing cabinet, in order to avoid any further embarassment to the obese Rt Honorable John Prescott?
Comment by J G Miller — 7 Nov 2004 on 8:50 pm | Link

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