Archbishop of York Questions Regional Assemblies

Dr David Hope, the Archbishop of York this week expressed his doubts over the Government’s plans in establishing regional assemblies, especially one in Hope’s local Yorkshire. The Archbishop stated that he had “serious reservations” with regards to regional assemblies being set up, saying that his main concern was the threat of “increasing bureaucracy”, plus the worry that voters would be the ones left paying the bills in establishing the new body.

The northern Primate – who is the most senior figure in the Church of England behind the Archbishop of Canterbury – also commended a local newspaper for calling on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to offer clarity on a variety of matters central to the assembly debate.

The Yorkshire Post demanded that ahead of a referendum on the issue – which the Government is expected to call for November 4th – the MP should disclose an accurate role and budget for the assembly, the mechanics for the running of the referendum campaign and the voting methods to be used.

Dr Hope, originally from Yorkshire and who is a former Bishop of Wakeford, spoke out in advance of the General Synod’s meeting in Yorkshire this coming weekend.

The Archbishop of York said “I have some serious reservations about the proposed assembly. In principle, an assembly could bring democracy nearer to the people, and that I would endorse. But you need to ensure that the assembly would have the power and the money to deliver. And what I am totally against is increasing bureaucracy.”

Hope continued, “I want to see in far greater detail what is proposed and what the shape of an assembly is likely to be.”

“If we are to have a regional assembly, are we going to be spending huge amounts of money on a building to house the assembly, as has happened with the Scottish parliament?”

The Archbishop was not completely against the entire idea of a regional assembly, and he expressed the fact that there is a “coherence” about the county of Yorkshire which meant it could in fact “make sense” for a regional assembly to be created. However, he was quick to point out, “But not if it means getting more bureaucracy which would involve yet more expense, paid for by the people of Yorkshire.”

Dr Hope added: “I certainly think that the questions being raised are very pertinent questions. It is indeed important to get some clarity on these issues about the precise role and budget of the assembly and so on before we are asked to vote.

“In principle, an assembly could be beneficial to Yorkshire. But the questions that are now being raised and, rightly and understandably, on many people’s minds. They are certainly on mine.”