Osborne blasts postal fiasco (From Warrington Guardian)

Osborne blasts postal fiasco

TORY MP George Osborne this week called for a return of the ballot box in time for this autumn's referendum on the creation of a North West Regional Assembly.

The 33-year-old Tatton MP said postal voting - trailed in the region for the first time this year - had been a fiasco.

"Given the mess of these elections it's obviously wrong," he said.

"The point is probably best made after what's just happened."

Mr Osborne, who founded the North West Says No campaign, wants the public to vote against an elected mini-parliament in the region.

He believes polling stations should be used during a referendum on the proposals, which would see one of Knutsford's ruling councils scrapped.

He claimed his campaign group were currently winning the argument ahead of the vote in October.

"We've shown the only all-party campaign and frankly we're getting more support on the ground," he said.

However, yesterday (Tuesday) campaigners for a North West Regional Assembly said almost three quarters of local councillors supported them.

They claimed 72% thought an elected mini-parliament was a good idea, with just one quarter saying it was a bad plan.

"Our survey shows that many feel that central government is simply too remote," said campaign board member Mike Shields.

If the public votes for a North West Regional Assembly the way Knutsford is governed will change.

Voters will have to choose between a unitary authority - saving Cheshire County Council - or a smaller East Cheshire council - saving Macclesfield Borough Council.