Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Gainsborough, has said that any changes to local government in Lincolnshire must be done by consent and not imposed from above.

“People in Lincolnshire want to proceed by consent,” the MP of more than thirty years’ service told a House of Commons debate on local government reform.

“We do not want a bruising battle over many years between district and county councils about which should be abolished. We want to proceed by consent and to get together.”

Recalling Ted Heath’s reforms – famous for creating the unpopular Humberside – Sir Edward said that “many are people are scarred by the events of the 1970s, when ancient counties were swept away.”

“We want to leave the present structure in place with district councils and county councils, and perhaps form a new body on which those will be represented,” the MP suggested.

“I am worried that in our rush for change and innovation, we may ride roughshod over what local people and local councillors want.”