THE debate over whether the North-East should vote for regional government has not caught the imagination of the public.

So far, apathy is winning and that is both sad and dangerous because, in a matter of weeks, the region will be making a decision of historic significance.

The importance of the referendum on November 4 must not be underestimated. It must be a true reflection of how the people of the region want to be governed.

We welcome today's announcement by Ray Mallon that he will help spearhead the "Yes" campaign because, like him or not, he will generate interest.

He will ensure that more people will begin to take note of what is about to take place and that has to be good news for democracy.

We also welcome yesterday's confirmation of the team which will try to persuade the North-East to say "No", led by Graham Robb, Darlington businessman and former advisor to ex-Tory leader William Hague.

Government - whether it be national, regional or local - needs strong opposition. It has been sadly lacking in national terms in recent years and that has been unhealthy.

The regional government debate needs strong voices on both sides. We need to know why the "Yes" campaigners believe it will make the North-East stronger, and why the "No" lobby believes it will give us nothing more than another expensive layer of bureaucracy.

For decades the region has argued that the status quo is not acceptable: that the north-south divide cannot continue to grow because of an unfair system of government. Both sides, therefore, have to come up with changes which provide a better way forward.

After an uninspired start, we look forward to a livelier debate which will finally engage the people of the North-East.