Devon Regional Assembly

To: [email protected]

We, the undersigned, call on the UK Government to hold a separate referendum in Devon on the question of establishing a Regional Assembly for or including Devon.

By signing this petition you can help persuade the UK Government to hold a referendum in Devon on the question of devolution with a view to establish a devolved, directly-elected Regional Assembly for a unified Devon.

Therefore:

1. I oppose the establishment of the currently proposed seven county regional assembly (which currently includes Devon) in the South West.
2. I oppose the inclusion of Devon in any alternative "Wessex" regional assembly.
3. I support the establishment of a devolved, directly-elected Regional Assembly for a unified Devon (ie including the current unitary authorities of Plymouth & Torbay).
4. I support the retention of current regional authorities (eg District and City Councils) along with directly elected authorities for each of Plymouth and Torbay.

My reasoning and evidence is:

The governments proposed south-west seven county region (or the alternative "Wessex" region) would be too large, and distant from the electorate.
Devolution of greater power to Devon authority would be more cost effective, as there would be no duplication between County and Region.
The governments proposed south-west seven county region is an artificial creation, including counties with little in common.
The majority of Devonians do not identify themselves with any "Wessex" region (I refer to discussions on the BBC Devon web-site, amongst others), and the inclusion of Devon would therefore be anomolous, and would link Devon with counties with which it has little in common.
Devon County Council have passed a resolution rejecting the concept of a seven county "south west" Assembly.