Commons Sense

House of Commons · Public Bill Committee

Untitled statement

30 June 2022

Proposed by Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale

Local Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Key points

  • Tim Farron discusses the reorganisation of county names and identities in his constituency.
  • The MP reflects on historical changes that negatively impacted the identity of Lancashire compared to Yorkshire.
  • The MP requests reconsideration of rules preventing local authorities from changing their identities or names after establishment.

Issue summary

The MP discusses the reorganisation of county names and identities in his constituency, reflecting on historical changes that affected the identity of Lancashire negatively compared to Yorkshire.

Action requested

The MP requests a reconsideration of the rigid rules preventing local authorities from changing their identities or names after being established, arguing for more democratic flexibility.

Key facts

  • The new authority serving the constituency is Westmorland and Furness Council.
  • In the early 1970s, Yorkshire kept its name in most cases during reorganisation, unlike Lancashire which lost parts of its identity to other counties.
  • Errors were made in the genesis of the new bodies, and changes cannot be made without a two-thirds majority.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy