I totally disagree with the views expressed by R,Pierce (Gazette May 1) regarding the regionalisation of England.

He asks everyone in England to follow Scotland's example regarding retirement home costs and student finance.

What he fails to quote is the fact that under the Barnett formula Scotland receives £9 billion from the English taxpayer to cover those social improvements.

No wonder that hospital waiting lists and class sizes are smaller in Scotland than in England.

For unexplained reasons England would be denied recognition as a country and its people would not be allowed the right to express their views through their own Parliament.

Those of us in England have the same right to a Parliament as do the people of Scotland and they should be free to decide their own system of government.

Devolution for England should start with an English Parliament. Regionalisation would weaken England by encouraging conflict between its parts.

The Labour Government, without any electoral mandate whatsoever, is intending to Balkanise England into separate regions and therefore abolish it.

Any imposed system would create vested interests and hinder the continued creation of a united England.

There is both a demand and a need for an English Parliament and the abolition of the Barnett formula.

We urgently require a referendum. It's called democracy.

Brian D Coombs

Chippenham