North east issues overwhelming 'No' for regional assembly

Voters in the north east of England have categorically rejected Labour plans for a regional assembly, it has emerged today.

With over three-quarters of the electors, or 696,519 people, voting against in the referendum, the prospect of a regional assembly in the north east has been knocked back for at least seven years. In a 48% turnout, just 22%, or 197,310, people were in favour of the measure.

The turnout was higher than in the north east's European elections (42%), higher than in the London referendum (34%) and comparable with the Welsh referendum (50%).

An elected assembly would have responsibility for regional issues on jobs, economic development, planning, housing, fire and rescue, transport, arts, sports, culture and the environment. As a consequence of last night's vote the government will not introduce the Regional Assemblies Bill.

Speaking after the results were declared, the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said: "My own personal view is that an elected regional assembly would be in the best interests of the region. That has not changed. It was indeed a Manifesto commitment.

He added: "We will maintain a strong regional presence and continue to strengthen the regional dimension including regional development agency, the existing assembly and the strong regional government office. We are committed to the Northern Way initiative. The North East working with the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber to unlock the great potential of these three Northern regions."

The Tories said that the result had left Mr Prescott's political credibility "in tatters".

Shadow Regions Secretary Bernard Jenkin urged the government to take the results on board and dump its policy.

He added: "This is a decisive vote against regional government, against more politicians and more talk. A whole coalition of individuals led the campaign against the assembly - an assembly which would have been the 'white elephant' of the North East. In helping to secure a no vote, they have done the whole country a favour."

Mr Prescott's Lib Dem opposite number, Edward Davey, said the huge 'No' vote reflected Labour's "half-baked ideas" on the issue.

“It would be foolish to claim this 'No' vote is anything other than a setback for the English regions. Yet devolution is not an issue that will go away," he said.

“The case for bringing accountability to England’s many regional quangos, and the case for taking power away from ministers in Whitehall, remains strong.

“Following the Scottish model, Liberal Democrats are prepared to think afresh in a new Convention of the North, and we challenge others to respond to our new proposal.”

He said his party would push for a Convention of the North, where people from all three northern regions can "reflect on the future for regional democracy".

(gmcg)