Abolishing the Regions
March 29, 2007 by Ken
Filed under Political Humbug
John Redwood has replied to some comments about abolishing the regions;
I want to see all unelected regional government abolished.
The Conservatives will not be abolishing the three elected regional governments in the UK that have been endorsed by referendum, nor the elected tier in Northern Ireland if that is in operation.
The fact that Brussels likes regional government is no argument for keeping this unwanted layer of government, which has been rejected by the people of the North-east, and would be rejected by others elsewhere if given the chance to vote on it.
There is no Treaty obligaiton or legal requirement to have it – and if there were it would still be necessary to change it.
My Comment to Mr Redwood,
Again I must stress that I am in full agreement and I can understand why the Party would feel that it would be acting against a declared mandate to abolish those authorities which been extended after a referendum.
I do however have some concerns that although you are very clear that all other regional government would be abolished, that you seem to be ignoring possible consequences from the EU, you say there is no Treaty obligation or legal requirement to have the regions but the Treaty of Niece makes it absolutely clear that the Regions are part of the EU system of governance and sets out conditions yet to be fulfilled for the membership of COR. (members must also have a mandate from the authorities they represent, or be politically accountable to them)
The Treaty of Niece also lists the member numbers for each countries representations in COR.
Subsidiarity is also used as the Constitutional premise for Regional governance in the EU.
The EU Constitution indicates the moves towards greater regional involvement in the EU system
Article I-5 explicitly refers to the recognition of regional and local self-government as part of the national identities of the member states.
part II (Charter of Fundamental Rights): The preamble specifically recognises the national identities of Member States and the organisation of their public authorities at national, regional and local levels.
At present the Constitution is yet to be ratified but the Berlin Declaration:
The European Union, the Member States and their regions and local communities share these tasks.
We must continue to renew and update the political shape of Europe. That is why, 50 years after the signing of the Treaties of Rome, we are today agreed on the goal of achieving a renewed common foundation for the European Union before the 2009 elections to the European Parliament.
The COR “Declaration for Europe” to celebrate the 50th anniversary;
“We are determined to support the heads of state and government in bringing the constitutional process and the necessary reform…to a rapid conclusion, without losing the ground gained by and for local and regional authorities.”
Hans-Gert Pöttering, president of the European parliament, told CoR members in Rome that the committee would “play an increasing role in the Europe of tomorrow”.
“The new Europe we are building is one where regional and local authorities will matter more, not less, in years to come. The bodies you represent will be extremely important in delivering Europe on the ground.”
European commission president José Manuel Barroso echoed Pöttering’s thoughts, saying that local and regional authorities “continued to provide the basis of the bond of trust between the EU and its citizens”.
Former commission president and current Italian leader Romano Prodi also underlined what he called the key role of local communities, urging them to do more to explain what the EU means, to push for more autonomy; and to strengthen cooperation with other levels of government.
It is clear that abolishing the level regional governance will have an impact on EU policy and its stated ideals, it is equally clear that there will be a concerted attempt by both the regional actors and the EU to move a new Consevative administration away from its adgenda of eliminating regional government.
One other commenter from Wales suggested that there might be a call for another referendum there because; Experience has shown it has become an expensive talking shop, and a third rate imitation of Westminster.
Give us another referendum, there are many of us, who want to see this costly white elephant swept away.
