ROB Sykes (Evening News, May 23) confirms that as well as being Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council he is also secretary of the West Midlands Regional Assembly.

Does he take time off to do this job or does he use council time (paid by us) to do it?

He tells us that the Assembly is allied to "local governance." Since when? The Assembly is an unelected quango.

He also tells us the Assembly is responsible for "regional spatial planning" and for "scrutinising the regional development agency" - yet another government quango.

It seems to me that Tony Blair is actively working by stealth to force regional government - as required by the EU - upon us.

I contend Tony Blair has no mandate to do so whatsoever. A multiplicity of referendums, as he has promised, on the question is also not acceptable.

When is someone going stand firm and challenge New Labour?

E F SHOWELL, Worcester.