DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott chose the picturesque settings of a North Yorkshire flower show and an ancient abbey to press the case for an elected regional assembly.
Mr Prescott's latest visit to the North of England, aimed at raising awareness of this autumn's regional assembly referenda, saw him tour Fountains Abbey, near Ripon.
From there he went on to the Harrogate Spring Flower Festival, where he met representatives of the North of England Horticultural Society.
About 30 members of the Countryside Alliance had managed to smuggle placards into the show and planned to ambush Mr Prescott in a pro-hunting demonstration.
But the stage-managers behind Mr Prescott's visit spotted the protest brewing and steered him well away from any unwanted photo opportunity.
Ian Kebble, of Hovingham, a member of the Ampleforth Beagles, said fox hunting was a matter of individual liberty.
He claimed Britain was being turned into a "police state."
Asked about the fox's liberty, Mr Kibble said: "The fox has got liberty because it can run away, and they don't always get caught."
East Yorkshirewoman Roz Maxwell blasted Mr Prescott for not meeting the demonstrators.
She said: "We frightened him away but at least he knows we mean business. We shall do this everywhere he goes."
The push for regional government, or devolution, is a personal policy for Mr Prescott with the Prime Minister rarely seen having anything to do with it. Interest in an assembly for the Yorkshire and Humber region has been lukewarm so far, with a low turnout predicted in the referendum. Mr Prescott would not be drawn on the possible outcome of the referendum.
He said: "We are increasing awareness of it. The people of Yorkshire will make their decision in the autumn. I can't make the decision for them."
He said that 'Yes' votes in the referenda, which would mean assemblies were set up in the North East and North West, as well as Yorkshire, would give the North a stronger voice.
"It would allow us to develop in a much more powerful way," Hull MP Mr Prescott added.
Updated: 10:32 Friday, April 23, 2004
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