VARIOUS correspondents have repeatedly made two accusations concerning regional government in England.
First, they say it is being orchestrated by the European Union.
Second, they say it is being done "by stealth". Neither of these claims has a leg to stand on.
Despite having had plenty of opportunities, not one of the anti-EU lobby has produced a shred of hard evidence to substantiate their claims.
As for "stealth", it is a strange use of that word if it includes making manifesto pledges, conducting academic research, issuing press releases, creating web sites, writing letters to newspapers, organising briefings for local councillors and, in the next few weeks, publishing a White Paper.
England's existing regional tier of Whitehall-directed, quango-ridden bureaucracy needs to be opened up to democratic accountability.
Those who oppose such a move should discard the paranoid nonsense about the EU and "stealth", and instead start engaging with the real arguments.
PAUL H GRIFFITHS,
Worcester.
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