So Bob...how do you feel about England? (From Gazette)

So Bob...how do you feel about England?

5:00am Friday 11th September 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(10)

COLCHESTER MP Bob Russell has been challenged to “explain his stance towards England”.

Eddie Bone, vice president of Workers of England Union, has called for the Lib Dem MP to explain his involvement with the East of England Regional Grand Committee.

The committee’s first meeting was abandoned when it was boycotted by Tory MPs.

Mr Bone, of Nelson Road, Colchester, said Mr Russell has kept “very quiet” about his involvement in the committee, which brings MPs from across the region together to debate issues.

He said: “What is an MP, who is supposed to represent Colchester, doing travelling 100 miles across the country to chair a committee with no power?

“By attending, Mr Russell has made his stance clear, that he believes in the regionalisation of England.

“Our stance is there should be an English parliament to match what they have in Wales and Scotland, to retain England’s national identity and voice.”

Mr Bone was among protesters from the union, the Campaign for an English Parliament, and the English Democrats political party, which picketed Tuesday’s committee meeting.

It failed to go ahead after less than 17 MPs turned up, the number needed to form a committee.

He continued: “Millions of pounds are being wasted on regional government that would be better spent on helping unemployed people.

“We are calling for a referendum on having an English parliament, and will respect whatever result comes back.”

Mr Russell said Mr Bone was entitled to his views, but pointed out the committee had been created after a vote by a democratically-elected parliament.

He said: “That’s certainly a view and in a democratic society he is perfectly entitled to express that view. I’m not aware that his organisation has ever contested general elections.”