Unitary Plan 'Powerfully Opposed'

The prime minister has agreed there is "powerful" opposition to plans for a single council for North Yorkshire.

Whitehall wants to create the single authority which would be responsible for local services across the county.

Harrogate MP Phil Willis told Tony Blair during prime minister's questions he should either give residents a referendum or scrap plans altogether.

Mr Blair said the fact all seven of the county's MPs opposed the unitary idea was "very powerful".

In the House of Commons, Mr Willis asked the prime minister: "In North Yorkshire, all seven MPs, the district councils, parish councils, major business organisations and the overwhelming majority of council taxpayers are opposed to the government's proposals for a unitary North Yorkshire Council.

"Will the prime minister, as part of his legacy to North Yorkshire, condemn these unwanted proposals to the scrapheap or at least insist that the voters of North Yorkshire express their views in a referendum?"