[regional government] what westminster really thinks

Wonkotsane [wonkotsaneatwonkosworlddotcodotuk] is at it again:

I could barely contain myself when writing this. The urge to rant was strong.

He quotes this article:

The British government has published its reply to a report by the Department for Communities and Local Government on the future of regional government in England.

Astonishingly, the report calls for more regional government, discusses ways of enhancing public scrutiny and accountability as if there already is some and completely fails to mention the fact that what they are proposing is absolutely opposed by the majority of the general public!

The original scope of the report was “Is there a future for regional government?” which the committee took upon themselves to change to “How does the current system of regional governance actually work?” and “What role would city-regions play in the future development of regional policy?”

The response is made from the viewpoint of the Sub National Review which is being presided over by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown MP (Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath, Scotland). The review applies only to England, as does this report but that is a different matter.

The report proposes strengthening the role of Regional Development Agencies such as Advantage West Midlands. There is no mention of the fact that RDAs are unelected and unaccountable to the electorate and that five of them have just had regional funding suspended from EU because of concerns over financial controls. Does this sound like the sort of quango that should be given more powers and money?

The report also suggests devolution of powers to city regions despite the fact that city regions have never been put to a referendum, are unelected as per the standard convention for regional quangos and are woefully inadequate when attempting to compete with the national governments of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and beyond.

This blog is a little raw and underdeveloped in its views on this matter and would welcome your opinions, to enable me to make up my mind.