” … An imminent agreement between ministers and council chiefs is now highly unlikely but Warrington North MP Helen Jones said the Labour group made the ‘right decision’ for the town.
She added: “The Tories are trying to force us into an alliance with councils with whom we have little community of interest.
“Warrington spent a long time trying to get out of Cheshire to run its own affairs, now there are attempts to force us back in.
… If anyone really believes that this is not a prelude to future local government reorganisation, they are in cloud cuckoo land.
“This deal offered us very little and almost nothing for my constituency. In fact, some parts of it would transfer money from Warrington to elsewhere in Cheshire.
“I am glad that the Labour group wants to explore other options. If the Government was really serious about devolution it would offer it to recognised communities like Warrington instead of trying to force us into a one size fits all formula.”
East Devon Watch 