Council leader welcomes Scottish referendum result

Responding to the results of the Scottish referendum, Councillor John Hart, the Leader of Devon County Council, said today: “I am really glad that the United Kingdom isn’t going to be broken up. But we now have to ensure that Devon and the South West doesn’t lose out because of the promises made by the Westminster parties to Scotland.

“Last week we were being urged to fly the Saltire. But I intend to keep on flying the flag for Devon.

“We in the South West already lose out to Scotland because of a funding agreement reached by the Labour Government in the 1970’s worth about £2,000 per head.

“We’re also facing unprecedented spending cuts in Devon and we can’t afford to have any more cash siphoned off to other parts of the country.

“There’ve been promises made in the heat of the election campaign in Scotland. What the parties at Westminster have to remember is that there’s a General Election next May for the whole of Britain. The main parties can’t afford to be seen to penalise voters in Devon to benefit the Scots.

“That’s a message I will be giving all our MPs and candidates very firmly over the coming months. We want a fair deal for Devon.”