March General Election could halt City Region power moves (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

Manchester Liberal Democrats Online <info@manchester-libdems.org.uk>

March General Election could halt City Region power moves

December 18, 2009 12:01 AM

Manchester Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Simon Ashley

An early General Election could scupper City Region plans, says Simon Ashley

Following questioning at wednesday's Manchester Council Executive from Lib Dem Leader Simon Ashley, Chief Executive Sir Howard Bernstein conceded that proposals for more powers being devolved to the City Region were "unlikely" if there were a General Election in March.

In a report to the Manchester Executive, Sir Howard wrote that a final proposal would not be ready until March 2010, which would allow enactment if the General Election were in May.

Manchester Lib Dem Leader Simon Ashley said,

"It would be a pity if the Manchester City Region missed out on significant extra powers because the Prime Minister was making a short term decision just to benefit the Labour Party."