Local MPs' lobbying brings good news in coalition agreement

 20.05.2010  This morning the Liberal Democrat-Conservative Coalition published its Programme for Government with good news for local communities in Cornwall.
 
Just days after Cornwall’s Liberal Democrat MPs launched their own Programme for Cornwall today’s document outlines the Coalition’s plans for government over the next five years. The Liberal Democrat MPs are pleased that many of the policies they had been campaigning for are now incorporated in the Coalition’s agreement.
 
These include the abolition of the massive 70,000 house building target for Cornwall before 2026; the abolition of the unelected Regional Development Agency which often overrules Cornwall in the spending of its European regional aid; high priority given to renewable energy which Cornwall is keen to harness as a major economic driver; and the creation of a more democratically accountable system to manage our local health services and hospitals.  
 
The MP for the West Cornwall constituency of St Ives and the Isles of Scilly Andrew George said:
 
“The Coalition is already starting to deliver many outcomes which Cornwall has craved. The days of large centralised, monolithic Government are over and with them the ‘we-know-best’ attitude of Whitehall. There are major opportunities for Cornwall here. Local people, councillors, and local councils will have to step up to the plate. More decisions will be taken in Cornwall.
 
“There’s still more to do. On housing, controlling second home ownership, giving councils greater powers to protect the vitality of out town centres from out-of-town shopping developments. Accelerating Cornwall’s health funding towards its target. Actually delivering the affordable homes that people need.”
 
MP for North Cornwall Dan Rogerson said:
 
"Already the strong Liberal Democrat presence in this new government is making a real difference.
 
"It will be our job as local constituency MPs to make a strong case for all of Cornwall's objectives during the course of this Parliament.  And we can already see that Ministers are listening.
 
"The abolition of Regional Development Agencies is particularly welcome, since this should mean that Cornwall's EU funding can now be allocated more democratically.
 
"It's also great to see the new government taking schemes like the Community Land Trust at Blisland as a template for how to provide more affordable housing for local people."