Yet by stealth, in last few months, John Prescott has transferred authority over these issues away from local councils to the expensive and distant South East England Regional Assembly. The Assembly’s powers now include a role in the allocation of new casino licences, the ability to set targets and locations for incinerating waste, and being able to force new traveller camps on local communities, irrespective of local wishes. This is on top of its prerogative to dump sprawling housing estates anywhere in Surrey.

While the Assembly may be based in the borough, it is not accountable to the people of Guildford. When the British public have been asked whether they support regional government – in November’s North East regional referendum – three-quarters decisively rejected it. But despite this, month by month, John Prescott is quietly strengthening the dominance of this unelected and unwanted quango, which lacks any mandate or legitimacy.

I believe that issues like licensing, waste and planning, should remain with local councillors – accountable to local people via the ballot box. But accountability is not a hallmark of Mr Blair’s style of government. The choice in the forthcoming election is clear. Only Conservatives, such as Anne Milton in Guildford and Jeremy Hunt in South West Surrey, have pledged to dismantle the growing and interfering regional state, and restore the democratic voice of local people.

Cllr Sheridan Westlake