I AM 100 per cent in favour of regional government because I believe it is a great opportunity for the North-East.

Over the years, we have lost too many industries -coalmining, shipbuilding, steelmaking, all of which were good employers contributing to the economy of the region -because of decisions made elsewhere.

Take the pits, for instance. The decision to privatise them was a political one, taken as part of a deal between the then-Government and politicians in Northern Ireland.

We have also had representations from Scotland, Wales and other parts of England that have had an impact on our industries. Too many decisions about the North-East have been made by people who live outside it.

If we are to see a regional government introduced, it cannot just be something we do because devolution was the "in thing". It has to be real. It cannot be like a form of higher council. If it is simply another layer of bureaucracy, the people who criticise those who urge a "yes" vote would be right.

To avoid that, and to prevent the assembly being a talking shop, it must have powers and not have to go to Whitehall to get its decisions ratified all the time.

It also needs funding, which should include tax-raising powers, which I believe is fundamental to its success.

I accept the assembly has to have the best people, which would involve representatives from all walks of life, including business people, trade unionists, community leaders and local politicians.

It annoys me when I hear people say that we do not have any local politicians who are up to the job. We have plenty of very able local politicians who have their roots in the North-East and have worked for this area for generations.

Part of the referendum will ask people to vote on what form of local government they want. This has been introduced by the Government because it does not want people saying that a regional assembly is just another tier of government. I think the county councils and the district councils have done a good job, but this is one of the best opportunities in quite a long time to take the region forward and we have to move on.

It is very important that we explain to the public what regional government would mean to them. Once people are made aware of the opportunities it represents, I believe that we will get a positive vote in October.

* Ian Lavery, president of the National Union of Mineworkers, based in Blyth, Northumberland.