14 November 2006
Today all four Conservative MPs for Shropshire joined in supporting calls for a Referendum to allow local people to decide whether to move to a Unitary Local Authority model.

Following last month's Local Government White Paper, the Queen's Speech this Wednesday is expected to include proposals for a new round of Unitary Authorities to be established in areas where there is a consensus in favour of this model.

Conservative MPs Philip Dunne (Ludlow), Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham), Owen Paterson (North Shropshire), Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) today joined forces to welcome moves for as wide a consultation as possible to ensure any decision has full public support.

Mr Dunne, who is also a District Councillor in South Shropshire said today: "The Government are looking at a very tight timetable for local authorities to propose the most wide-ranging change in local government structure for 30 years. There has been very little debate of the pros and cons. We think the best way to ensure Shropshire has the right structure to suit our special needs is for this to be debated openly through a referendum within each local district/borough council area. I shall be urging South Shropshire District Council to support this move when we meet to debate the issue this Wednesday."

Mark Pritchard said: "The decision on the future of local government in the County should not be taken by politicians alone but by all the people of Shropshire through a referendum which the government should fund given that the reorganisation was their initiative."