WARNING, PRESCOTT - TO REMOVE LOCAL DEMOCRACY. Blair's evil cronies are at it again. Don't let Labour get away with council secrecy.

LOCAL newspapers and members of the public often take for granted their ability to attend local council meetings and see council papers in advance of such meetings. But these rights are now under threat form the Labour government.

Few people will be aware that John Prescott is currently trying to push a new law through Parliament which will force councils to change the way they meet - such as replacing the current system of committees with a 'Cabinet'.

In these Cabinets there will be no automatic right for the public to attend or listen to their councillors make decisions.

Worse, there is no requirement for Cabinets to publish their agendas or background papers before a decision is taken.

Both the press and the local residents will lose the ability to lobby councillors in advance and to observe how decisions are taken. In other words, a veil of secrecy could be drawn over councils across the country.

As Conservatives we are not opposed to change - but we do believe in open local government. It was Margaret Thatcher who in 1960 steered through a new law council meetings up to newspapers and public.

In 1986, it was a Conservative Government, which passed a law to allow press and public access to key council papers three days before council meetings.

Conservatives will fight to make local government more open and accountable - not less. It is vital that local newspapers and the public wake up to John Prescott's plans to quash dissent and suppress debate, before it is to late.

ARCHIE NORMAN. MP.
Shadow Secretary of State of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
The Rochdale Observer, Wednesday 3rd of May 2000.

Contributed by R Lockwood - Manchester - England