English regional electorates were given the opportunity to have regional assemblies . The first referendum held in the North East shat on expanding democracatic accountability and control of local budgets by rejecting the offer of an assembly.
Hmm - a regional assembly with little power and responsibilty? Why would that be seen as just a talking shop?
Even the powers of the devolved administrations/National Governments is inconsistent, to put it mildly.
Anyway, back to CWL. I think the objection in this case is that the access to government funding which isn't available elsewhere.