Three Conservative MPs have joined forces to fight Wiltshire CC's bid for unitary status. MPs Andrew Murrison, Michael Ancram and Robert Key have come out in support of a campaign by West Wiltshire, Kennet and Salisbury DCs to fight the county's unitary bid. ‘The unitary bid is an exercise in centralisation which, in all likelihood, will not save money, and that will distract the attention of local government staff from their proper job – that of providing services to residents,' said Mr Murrison. The outgoing finance boss at Kennet DC has warned that unitary status in Wiltshire would destroy local services. Frank Marshall, who retires at the end of the year, said: ‘I believe it will be bad news all round.' Congleton BC has rejected both Cheshire CC and Chester City Council's rival unitary bids and called for improved two-tier working. Head of prosperous communities, Vivienne Quayle, said the authority was working with Crewe and Nantwich BC, which shared its views on this subject. And Devon county councillor John Hart said anyone supporting Exeter City Council's unitary bid ‘is living in cloud cuckoo land'.