Original sentence: Stuart Bell and Peter Mandelson (both Labour) were present at the debate but did not vote.The rationale for Cleveland's abolition remains unclear and the majority of residents appeared to prefer to remain under a clear and defined county, particularly in hindsight
Edited sentence: Stuart Bell and Peter Mandelson (both Labour) were present at the debate but did not vote, effectively assisting the Conservative government in their plans for the dismemberment of the county.The rationale for Clevelands abolition remains unclear, there was little of the obvious residents loathing for counties such as Humberside and the majority of locals (even more so retrospectively) appeared to prefer to remain under a clear and defined county rather than the confused and ambiguous replacement