LAST month more than 200 people gathered at Bolton's Reebok Stadium for a meeting to discuss government from the "bottom up".

It was a pity that their MP, Ruth Kelly (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) did not trouble herself to attend.

Other MPs have supported the idea of the Sustainable Communities Bill for they have realised the "top-down" government and ignoring local peoples' voices leads to decline.

Firstly, there is economic decline as communities lose their shops, banks and other amenities.

Secondly, environmental decline follows as people use their cars to get to the nearest amenities and carbon emissions and congestion increases.

Social exclusion follows as disabled, poor and elderly people are unable to access the shops and services they need.

Lastly, people become disengaged with democracy and don't vote because they see politics as having no good effect on their lives.

For too long now we have seen this sort of decline in northern towns and villages. If the Sustainable Communities bill becomes law, there will be a "double devolution" process.

The Secretary of State would have to seek the views of local authorities and councils would have to consult their communities and put their views in the reports to the Secretary of State.

That way communities will get what they need, not what Westminster and Whitehall think they should have!

You can play your part in bringing about "bottom-up" government by contacting your MP asking them to support a strong Sustainable Communities bill. Come and see us on our stall at the May Day Festival at Towneley Park, Burnley, on May 7 and find out more.

AVRIL HESSON, Burnley Friends of the Earth, Sycamore Avenue, Burnley.