POLITICIANS in York and North Yorkshire have generally welcomed the news that controversial proposals to hold a referendum for a "mini-Parliament" in Yorkshire have been dramatically dropped.

In a humiliating climbdown by the Government, Lord Rooker pulled the plug on plans to establish an elected regional assembly, but did not rule out a referendum at a later date.

The Local Government Minister cited concerns over administrative difficulties and allegations of electoral fraud in all-postal ballots.

It means people in Yorkshire and the Humber will not go to the polls on November 4, as originally scheduled.

Lord Rooker also scrapped a similar referendum planned for the North-West, but said one planned for the North- East would go ahead.

He said the move proved the Government was "listening to voters" who had expressed unhappiness at devolution, but added: "Our commitment to referendum remains unchanged."

Lord Rooker said the Government would make a statement in September.

John Greenway, Tory MP for Ryedale, branded the Government "chicken" for not pressing ahead with the vote.

He said: "This is unbelievable. They should either go ahead with the referendum or withdraw the plan completely. It can't be one or the other - they can't keep people hanging on."

York MP Hugh Bayley said people did not know enough about the regional assemblies to vote on them with certainty.

But he said: "I would like to see an assembly, providing it could make a real difference to people living in York by bringing real power from London."

Anne McIntosh, Conservative MP for the Vale of York, said the climbdown was "great news".

She said: "I certainly don't want a regional assembly. This is a huge embarrassment for John Prescott."

Pro-devolutionist John Grogan, Labour MP for Selby, said: "This was a commonsense decision in response to back bench pressure."

North Yorkshire County Council leader John Weighill said: "This is a very sensible move in light of the deep and widespread concerns so many people have been expressing for some time."

Updated: 10:29 Friday, July 23, 2004