Bristol likened to Mordor in devolution debate

Bristol has been likened to Mordor in a debate on Gloucestershire’s devolution options as councillors say they prefer to “remain in The Shire” with Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Local government is being reorganised across England and as part of it the county would partner up with neighbouring authorities to make strategic decisions for a wider area.

The Bristol-centric West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is the preferred option for Gloucestershire among the leadership of six out the county’s seven main councils and it is seen as the best option economically.

But Tewkesbury Borough Council wants to keep the option of joining Herefordshire and Worcestershire in a Three Counties combined authority on the table.

A debate on the options at the council earlier this week conjured up visions of JRR Tolkien’s fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings as one prominent Conservative councillor likened the city of Bristol to the bleak, fortress realm of Mordor.

Winchcombe Councillor David Gray said: “I looked for an analog in terms of Gloucestershire and how we might integrate and I found one in terms of an area that is peaceful, a rural life, farms, rolling hills and beauty and that is The Shire in the Lord of the Rings.

“And if I think about that, Mordor looks to me very like Bristol in that analogy.”

He fears joining WECA would lead to a lot of the funding being spent in the Bristol area and Gloucestershire would miss out.

And that it would be inevitable that parts of the county would be pulled into the city’s orbit.

“I don’t like visiting Bristol,” he told the Tewkesbury Borough Council meeting on April 7.

“Bristol, to me, is not a cool place to visit. It’s a place you want to get out of as soon as possible.

“So in that light, I recognise all the economic arguments as to why we might go with favouring WECA but I do think that it makes sense to us on this one to sit on the fence.”

He said serious consideration should be given to the option of joining with Worcestershire and Herefordshire to form part of a Three Counties combined authority.

“That has got many advantages and culturally, there is a lot more for us in that area,” he said.

“We can be our own cool kids in terms of having the best environment, the best nature, the best rivers. All of the things Gloucestershire has to offer.”

Fellow Conservative Councillor Paul McLain (Highnam with Haw Bridge) differed from Cllr Gray in his opinion of Bristol and said he loved the city and has no problems with WECA.

However, he does not see it as the best solution for the county and raised concerns about the risk of Gloucestershire taking on extra housing from the Bristol area.

“Here in Tewkesbury we’re used to being something of a dump for Gloucester and Cheltenham,” he said.

“I take no schadenfreude from Gloucestershire becoming a housing dump for the rest of WECA, but that is certainly a concern.”

He went on to say he would not “reference Mordor and The Shire” but he did say the best cider is made in the Three Counties and not Somerset.

“Much as I love Somerset cider, the best ciders come from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire orchards,” he said.

Towards the end of the meeting he said Gloucestershire should remain open minded about its options.

“If we end up with WECA, we don’t want to burn those bridges but by the same token we as an authority, I think, need to show that we at least have considered both options and we are open minded.

“While many of us might prefer The Shire, and, I’m not saying Bristol is Mordor. It’s not. We love you Bristol.

“I do love Bristol but my inclinations go with those cider makers.”

There is currently no clear timetable on a decision from ministers on which area, if any, Gloucestershire partners with.