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Leaders back 'high streets' rally Leaders back 'high streets' rally
(30 minutes 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 have addressed 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.
Mr Cameron called for a "revolution in responsibility", while Sir Menzies said there were too many "ghost towns".
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 are also attending the rally. Groups including Friends of the Earth, and the Countryside Alliance also attended the rally.
'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: "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". Local Government Minister Phil Woolas 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". But he added that he was actively engaging with its backers "to understand what they want to achieve and how best to achieve it".
'Powerless' 'Revolution'
Ahead of addressing the rally, Sir Menzies said: "The shocking decline of local communities - 'Ghost Town Britain' - is going on everywhere. Mr Cameron said: "Local councils should be able spend according to local priorities, not those set by Whitehall."
He added: "Local people shouldn't just control services provided by local government.
"They should have a say over all the government money spent in their area.
"Money is crucial but this is not just about who spends our cash. It's about a revolution in responsibility. It's about local people working together."
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."
A Department of Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "We support the aspirations of the Bill, and recognise its underlying concerns and ambitions."A Department of Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "We support the aspirations of the Bill, and recognise its underlying concerns and ambitions."
He added: "We are committed to promoting sustainable local communities and we have already delivered an ambitious programme of measures to do so."He added: "We are committed to promoting sustainable local communities and we have already delivered an ambitious programme of measures to do so."
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 scrutinised by a committee of MPs.