CAMPAIGNERS to bring regional government to the North-West came to Westminster today to step up pressure on Tony Blair to act -- and then split over whether any new assembly should raise its own income tax.
The Campaign for the English Regions held a House of Commons Press Conference demanding early moves on the issue.
And campaigners warned that if the government did not act within 18 months "trouble is expected."
Ideally they want a Bill to allow elected regional assemblies to be set up included in next week's Queen's Speech outlining the government's legislative programme.
The four campaigners -- Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell, former Agriculture Minister Joyce Quin, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesman Don Foster and Newcastle University Academic John Tomaney -- identified the North-East, the North-West and Yorkshire and Humberside as the parts of England with the greatest demand for regional government.
They said it was vital to boost the economy, attract firms, create jobs, provide a stronger voice in Europe.
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