LOCAL newspapers and members of the public often take for granted their ability to attend local council meetings and see council papers in advance of such meetings. But these rights are now under threat from the Labour Government.

Few people will be aware that John Prescott is currently trying to push a new law through Parliament which will force councils to change the way they meet -- such as replacing the current system of committees with a 'Cabinet'. In these Cabinets, there will be no automatic right for the public to attend or listen to their councillors make decisions.

Worse, there is no requirement for Cabinets to publish their agendas or background papers before decisions are taken. Both the press and local residents will lose the ability to lobby councillors in advance and to observe how decisions are taken. In other words, a veil of secrecy could be drawn over councils across the country.

As Conservatives we are not opposed to change -- but we do believe in open local government. It was Margaret Thatcher, who in 1960 steered through a new law to open council meetings up to newspapers and the public. In 1985, it was a Conservative government which passed a law to allow press and the public to get access to key council papers three days before council meetings. Conservatives will fight to make local government more open and accountable -- not less. It is vital that local newspapers and the public wake up to John Prescott's plans to quash dissent and suppress debate, before it is too late.

ARCHIE NORMAN MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Transport & the Regions