[Robert]

I know behind closed doors at least the UA's are definitely part of a plan to regionalise local democracy over much larger areas. It's a shame really as it goes against all that was said in "Whose Town is it Anyway, Wilks-Heeg and Clayton, 2006" which is it an interesting read for anyone involved in the latest local political scene in Burnley really. I think the new UA for Cornwall is a perverse example of the complete opposite really of what is needed, it's not the easiest county to drive around and basing everything now in Truro is going to be a major headache. It's also worth noting that 98% of Cornish people don't want the UA but are getting it anyway.

I'll have to do a bit of searching on the actual quote you seek but I'm sure a link even implicitly was made between how a labour-controlled county council was ignoring our needs and how a unitary authority would help. Obviously a labour UA would just carry on as was so I may have assumed that that it was inferring a Lib-Dem run council.

As for manufacturing etc. It's going to be a long road if things come out as promised but there is definitely a shortage of engineering graduates out there and this is something reflected by a wide range of sectors seeking them.

I'm struggling at the moment with a lack of promised investment in my sector to create the jobs needed but with any luck it could be tied into regeneration so hopefully I won't be waiting too long.