"The people of Shropshire have spoken: No to Unitary, yes to closer co-operation. I said I would respect the views of the people. Now I expect the proponents of Unitary and the Government to respect these clear votes."
Mr Dunne spoke at the end of the debate on the Local Government Bill in the House of Commons last night. He was able to announce to the Secretary of State Ruth Kelly MP and her Ministerial team the results of the local ballots of opinion in Bridgnorth and South Shropshire.
A remarkable 86% of those voting in Bridgnorth, on a 47% turnout, voted against Unitary. In South Shropshire, where District Council leaders are amongst the main advocates for Unitary, their plans were rejected by 56.7% of those voting, in a 42% turnout.
These results in the south of the county echo a similar result in Shrewsbury & Atcham where 67% of voters rejected Unitary.
Mr Dunne commented today: "I challenged Ministers: do not ignore the views of Shropshire people - you should trust them.
This is a resounding result against the centralising tendency of this Government.
I do not believe that the Government will now allow the proponents of Unitary to push it through in Shropshire. How can anyone say there is a 'broad consensus' in the face of these convincing votes?"
Mr Dunne added: "Now is the time for local authorities in Shropshire to bury the hatchet and start working together to achieve savings from closer co-operation which do not reduce democratic accountability."
Philip Dunne has been appointed to the Standing Committee scrutinising the detailed clauses of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill which starts its Committee stage through the House of Commons on Tuesday 30th January.
