Vocal Voices

Or as Gideon Osborne would put it "Offering English cities greater power." whether they want it or not.

"I will not impose this model on anyone," Mr Osborne will say, "but nor will I settle for less."

It is a form of divide and conquer - Gideon's way or no way. Cities either go for the deal and get a little bit of control over spending or they refuse and get nothing. And when I say "cities" I do not mean the local people, they will not be asked, I mean their local councillors, and they will never pass up a chance for more power.

It will create a two tier England and set city against city and region against region. What we will not get is an English parliament serving the English people as a whole.

What we will not get is an English parliament serving the English people as a whole.

Which, frankly, is what we need to put an end to the Scottish debate. We could still get it if they put their minds to it, and the English parliament would interpose between Westminster and the city / regions.

And this business of mayors is contentious - Newcastle city council have gone on record today as saying they don't want an elected one.

One of the big unspoken question with city / regions is going to be money-raising powers. I wonder how long before we see an American-style - city / state sales tax?

My preference would be for an English Parliament.

I'm with you Frank, baaaaaaad idea

We have an elected Mayor just up the road in Bristol - the man is an idiot

Auntie BBC, bless her, opened a question earlier asking if Manchester should be the capital of the North. Not that the BBC with its shiny new studios, in Salford, is in any way biased.

The answer is "No", but that is what the London politicos and the BBC want.

We do not want capitals here there and everywhere; London is the capital. What we do want is a fair share of the spoils this country, England, provides us with. How difficult is that for the politicians and media to understand?

You'd think eh?

We have an elected Mayor just up the road in Bristol - the man is an idiot

surely this is a major requirement?