'Regional government will help the North East pull together'

19th November 2002

The Queen's Speech last week delivered for South Tyneside by pledging to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour head on. But it was also announced that the Government intends to introduce legislation that paves the way for elected regional assemblies to be created. Voters in the North East will then be able to decide for themselves whether our region should have its own elected assembly, and then who should represent them in it. The various campaigns are already well underway and I believe there are strong arguments for backing regional government in the North East.

It's my belief that decisions taken at a regional level generally have a far better chance of addressing the priorities of that area than if they're taken in London. The burning issues of the South East aren't always the same as those of the North East. Most people agree that transport is a huge priority for us. We desperately need the dualling of the A1 up to Edinburgh, the strengthening of our airports in Newcastle and Teesside and to have innovative but affordable public transport that allows rural or deprived urban communities access to jobs and services. Regional government is about being able to set priorities on the basis of what needs to be done.

Support for an elected North East assembly shouldn't just be about moving the decision-making, it should be about better decision-making. It's important we grasp powers from Whitehall and come up with strategies for ourselves. Our assembly should set about looking at region's ensuring long-term economic development, establishing new ways of producing the skills and training that businesses in the North East demands, deal with housing and planning with perhaps a lighter touch whilst protecting and promoting our unique environment. My argument is that if we do this well then an elected assembly will more than pay for itself.

The formation of the Newcastle-Gateshead Culture Bid has shown two important things. First of all if we can get beyond a bit of local rivalry and create genuine partnership then we all benefit. The bid's organisers have brought together businesses, trade unions, local authorities and key players from across the public sector. They've combined some fantastic plans to produce an awesome cultural package that the whole country is now talking about. Imagine what the impact would be if we could reproduce these kinds of achievements across the whole region year-in year-out on the very big issues?

The second thing the bid has shown is that the culture and mindset of how we make decisions is critical. To get both sides of the Tyne working together is more than symbolic - it's in all of our interests. The message behind the Comedia Report was what's good for Jarrow can be good for South Shields and vice-versa. But this logic applies throughout the whole of the North East and that what's good for Wearside can be good for Tyneside. As a region we must pull together to meet our potential.

Political parties have a responsibility to operate differently to help create a new political culture too. I'm not convinced that it's necessary, nor desirable, to import the yah-boo politics of Westminster. One thing the Scottish Parliament and Welsh assemblies have certainly done well, is bring about a more consensual way of working. There does seem to be a greater resolve among these politicians to work together and strike the best deal for their electors.

It's vital that the people the political parties put up for election aren't 'the usual suspects'. I think many people would like to see candidates put forward from different backgrounds, professions and cultures. If the members of an elected assembly look like the people that make up the North East then there's a better greater chance we'll trust them to work for all of us.

The UK is one of the most centralised countries in Europe. Regional government is about democracy not bureaucracy. Make sure you vote when the time comes, because whatever happens, it will affect all of us.