MAY I be given the opportunity to make a few points on replies to my original letter on Regionalisation.

Congratulations to J W Reid on his knowledge of the subject. However, I cannot understand how Dave Goodwin can think Regionalisation 'will bring decision making and consultation much closer to us' and 'Westminster will no longer be able to ride roughshod over our views in Devon'.

Local councils are responsible for police, transport, education, planning, environment, highways and personal social services.

Far from bringing democracy closer to the people, most of these functions will be devolved upwards to the Regional Assemblies.

These Regional Assemblies not only have an EU dimension, they are being introduced to comply with the Maastricht Treaty which brought in the Committee of the Regions, who owe their allegiance to the EU and whose brief is to help create that 'country called Europe'.

Democracy to us means freedom of the individual, not the right of the State to dictate what we can or cannot do.

Anyone interested in hearing more facts about Regionalisation is invited to listed to Pam Barden (Save our Sovereignty) at Winkleigh Community Centre on Sunday October 27 commencing 2.30pm.

Dave Weeks

Member UK Independence Party

Courtlyns

Exbourne