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Leaders back 'high streets' rally Leaders back 'high streets' rally
(about 2 hours later)
Tory and Lib Dem leaders David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell are to address a Westminster rally calling for high streets to keep their character.Tory and Lib Dem leaders David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell are to address a Westminster rally calling for high streets to keep their character.
They back the Sustainable Communities Bill - going through Parliament - to give councils more powers to save local shops, post offices and pubs.They back the Sustainable Communities Bill - going through Parliament - to give councils more powers to save local shops, post offices and pubs.
But ministers say a change in the law would be too bureaucratic to work.But ministers say a change in the law would be too bureaucratic to work.
Groups including Friends of the Earth, and the Countryside Alliance will also attend the rally, from 1900 BST.Groups including Friends of the Earth, and the Countryside Alliance will also attend the rally, from 1900 BST.
'Remorseless decline''Remorseless decline'
A spokesman for one of the organisers, Unlock Democracy, said about 1,000 people were expected.A spokesman for one of the organisers, Unlock Democracy, said about 1,000 people were expected.
He added: "We would ideally like to work with the government on this.He added: "We would ideally like to work with the government on this.
"They are saying the bill is bureaucratic and unworkable but you need a certain amount of such work to get things done.""They are saying the bill is bureaucratic and unworkable but you need a certain amount of such work to get things done."
The private members' bill has been put forward by Nick Hurd, the Conservative MP for Ruislip Northwood.The private members' bill has been put forward by Nick Hurd, the Conservative MP for Ruislip Northwood.
He says that, over the last decade, towns have suffered a "remorseless decline", losing local post offices, grocers, shops and banks.He says that, over the last decade, towns have suffered a "remorseless decline", losing local post offices, grocers, shops and banks.
His bill would give councils the right to demand a breakdown of government spending on their services, and to go back to ministers with their own alternative allocations.His bill would give councils the right to demand a breakdown of government spending on their services, and to go back to ministers with their own alternative allocations.
Local Government Minister Phil Woolas, who is also speaking at the rally, said the bill would be a "centralising measure".
But he said he was actively engaging with its backers "to understand what they want to achieve and how best to achieve it".
'Powerless'
Ahead of addressing the rally, Sir Menzies said: "The shocking decline of local communities - 'Ghost Town Britain' - is going on everywhere.Ahead of addressing the rally, Sir Menzies said: "The shocking decline of local communities - 'Ghost Town Britain' - is going on everywhere.
"I share people's anger at seeing local services and facilities like post offices, bank branches and local businesses disappear. People feel powerless to stop this."I share people's anger at seeing local services and facilities like post offices, bank branches and local businesses disappear. People feel powerless to stop this.
"We don't want Whitehall to control our lives. The Sustainable Communities Bill will give communities real power over policies affecting their own areas.""We don't want Whitehall to control our lives. The Sustainable Communities Bill will give communities real power over policies affecting their own areas."
Oliver Letwin, head of policy for the Conservatives, said: "This bill creates a gradual revolution; it will turn the world upside down by empowering local communities to drive decision-making about how government spends its money.Oliver Letwin, head of policy for the Conservatives, said: "This bill creates a gradual revolution; it will turn the world upside down by empowering local communities to drive decision-making about how government spends its money.
"The bill is about making the state the servant of the people.""The bill is about making the state the servant of the people."
The bill gained its second reading in the Commons last month and is currently being looked at by a committee of MPs.The bill gained its second reading in the Commons last month and is currently being looked at by a committee of MPs.