Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

The debate now goes to the House of Lords.
Minister John Healey opened the debate by claiming "This is a proposal that the democratically elected, democratically led and locally accountable council has drawn up. It is a proposal on which the council sought the views of local people and the agencies it deals with in the area, and one that the council has chosen to put forward to the Secretary of State as the form of local governance that best meets the needs of Wiltshire today."

Much of this statement is blatant nonsense but the MPs weren't to know that. All our (Conservative) MPs are against the proposal as are nearly all the town and parish councils and most residents. The only people in favour seem to be a handful of Conservative and Lib Dem councillors at County Hall - but there is enough of them to force the issue through.

The Order was passed by the Commons and now goes off to The House of Lords. Let's hope that they are in a rebellious mood when they debate it and kick it out.