Commenting on the announcement that Durham County Council has rejected plans for a County Durham Devolution Deal in favour of a regional deal involving seven North East Councils, Grahame Morris MP said:

“The Lib Dem Conservative Coalition has misled the public, local representatives and Members of Parliament.

There was a cross-party consensus that County Durham should pursue our own devolution deal. The chaos at County Hall reflects the chaos in Downing Street – the Conservative Party is not fit to govern locally or nationally.

I completely oppose these backroom deals, that ignore and sell out the residents of County Durham. The Lib Dem Conservative Coalition act like the spokesperson for the Truss Government rather than representing the people of County Durham to the Government.

The Lib Dem Conservative Coalition only exist due to Independents propping up their disastrous decisions. They must now stand up for the people of County Durham and make it clear to the Hopgood/Bell Leadership that they will refuse to sanction this disastrous devolution deal that will marginalise County Durham.”