I had an excellent weekend in Chester and I’m very grateful to my friends and colleagues in Cheshire and the Wirral CF for organising an excellent dinner on Saturday night. Despite being one of the most in-demand politicians around just at the moment, Edward Timpson MP had agreed to be the guest speaker and gave an excellent speech.
This week there is a Council meeting on Wednesday where we are discussing whether to agree with the new AGMA Constitution. AGMA is the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and exists to partially fill the void left by the abolition of the old Greater Manchester County Council many years ago.
I’m sceptical of the benefits of the new constitution – which will effectively concentrate power in fewer hands (and appointed hands at that) – but we’re having a presentation and full morning’s discussion on the issues so I will be listening attentively before making up my mind.
If (as I fear) the proposed arrangements remove power up from Councils rather than down from regional quangos, and take the decision-making process a further step away from the electorate, then I will find the new constitution impossible to support.
I’m interested to hear what debate has taken place in other Greater Manchester boroughs on this issue – please do leave your comments!
Edward Timpson
What does he do?
Is a shadow minister?
Regards
Rick
Edward Timpson is the new MP for Crewe & Nantwich in Cheshire, having won the seat from Labour at the recent by-election following the sad death of Gwyneth Dunwoody.