FOR decades, the North-East has called for a change to the way it is governed.

As the North-South divide has widened, our region has demanded a greater understanding of its needs, a fairer distribution of wealth, and a stronger, more relevant voice.

Today, the North-East gets its long-awaited opportunity to take greater control of its own affairs through a regional assembly.

Make no mistake - it will be the only opportunity it gets for a long time.

We do not pretend that the powers on offer from the Government are as enticing as they could and should have been.

We share the reservations that the North-East has not been given enough to persuade its people that it will improve their lives. It is too much a case of "jam tomorrow".

But we have taken the consistent view that the current system has allowed the North-East to be discriminated against and that cannot continue.

We believe that the debate which comes to a conclusion with tonight's referendum result has been of huge importance. We urge our readers not to waste their vote.

If you have not yet voted, you have until 10pm tonight. Whether it is "yes" or "no", just make sure you have your say.

If the answer is Yes, the region must work together to ensure that it is an assembly which builds on foundations it has been given, shaky though they may be.

If the answer is No, we must still come together to answer the question: "Which way now?"

Because whatever the North-East decides on regional government, the debate leading up to the historic referendum has established an area of common ground: That the status quo is unacceptable.