Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003

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The Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 (2003 c 10) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Its core provision is to allow the Deputy Prime Minister to make orders for referendums in each of the Regions of England on the question of whether they wish to have an elected regional assembly. If the answer is yes, this will be implemented by further legislation; and existing two-tier local government areas (shire counties) will become unitary authorities.

Three such referendums were expected in 2004, for the regions of North East and North West England and Yorkshire and the Humber. There were no immediate plans for any in the other 5 applicable regions (East of England, East Midlands, South East, South West, West Midlands). Greater London already has the London Assembly.

It contains further consequential provisions, including causing the Boundary Committee for England to make recommendations about what the pattern of unitary authorities should be; and then if a referendum is successful, the composition of the Assemblies. It could be expected that the proposed assemblies will have a similar level of representation to the London Assembly, which has 25 members, 14 of which represent constituencies, the remainder being apportioned on a top-up party list system.

Following the overwhelming defeat of the referendum in North East England, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott told the House of Commons he would not move orders for the other two referendums within the effective time limit of June 2005 permitted by the Act.