MP blasts Government plans for top-down reorganisation of councils in Cumbria in the middle of biggest crisis since WW2

In Parliament this week, local MP Tim Farron slammed Government plans for a wholesale reorganisation of councils in Cumbria during the COVID-19 crisis.

Speaking during a debate on the easing of lockdown restrictions, Tim said: "The Government is making a very foolish move in deciding in the midst of this battle to fight back against coronavirus and the economic damage that it has brought with it, they've decided that the thing we desperately need is to have a completely pointless top-down reorganisation of local government in Cumbria.

"That's exactly what we need isn't it when we're trying to fight back against the coronavirus and the economic damage that it has wrought?

"To set institution against institution, to waste money, to paralyse social care and education and to make local leaders completely and totally contemplate their navels for their next two years.

"What a complete waste of time taking our eye off the ball."