The column that gives leading figures in the region the opportunity to speak frankly on the issue of self government in the North-East.

Councillor Tony Flynn is Leader Newcastle City Council and, until last summer when his term of office ran out, chairman of the Regional Assembly. Coun Flynn has been city council leader since 1994, works for the Northumbria Probation Service and was born in Middlesbrough.

I support the idea of regional government because I believe many decisions that affect the region could be taken in the region and would be better decisions as a result.

I have a strong affinity for the region, having been born in Middlesbrough, went to school in Durham, worked in Sunderland, live and represent Newcastle and spend my leisure time in Northumberland and Cumbria.

I believe the region has a strong identity, based on its shared industrial past of shipbuilding, heavy engineering and coal mining.

Our common past has defined the people and geographically we are separate, bound by the coast to the east and the Pennines to the West, on the frontiers of England. That distance from London makes us feel differently about issues and give us alternative priorities.

I feel that we have a very centralised government in this country, and we have suffered because we have not had our own voice.

The Conservative Government's decision to close the shipyards at Swan Hunter, on the Tyne, and the shipyards on the Wear, were taken for national political reasons, and not in the interests of the region. I believe that if we had had a regional strength, those closures would not have happened.

More decisions that affect the region should be taken in the region.

We are gradually moving towards more governance in the region. One NorthEast, the regional development agency, which after five years is beginning to find its feet, is having an impact on the region's economy and welfare.

Recently, I went to Malmo, in Sweden, which is part of the new Skne Region. There has been a bridge built between Denmark and Sweden, which cost billions of pounds. However, the strategic thinking that brought that about, and the huge commitment of resources, is beginning to change how both countries feel about each other and has improved the competitiveness of hitherto isolated regions. The North-East should think of the big strategic decisions that would make a step change to the benefit of the region.

I do not believe regional government is about taking decisions away from local government, but regional government should set the strategic framework for all decisions taken in the region.

I also believe the powers that come to regional government should be stronger and should, as a first step, involve the learning and skills, transport and the small business sectors.

However, I would not vote against regional governance if the powers were not there at the start. I believe regional governance is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, and its powers will be strengthened over time.

Once the regional genie is out of the bottle, it cannot be put back and that is good for democracy and for the well-being of the region.

Regional government, I believe, is right in principle, it is an article of faith, based on the right of self determination for a distinctive region. Many of the practical details will be worked out over a period of time.

In the longer term, regional government must have the resources, the strategic vision and good people to represent the area. Parochial concerns must be set aside and the body must attract those who have the region's benefit at heart rather than exclusively one area.

It is unfortunate the Government has muddied the waters by introducing the reorganisation of local government at the same time. I believe there should be single tier local government, but reorganisation should have happened prior to the vote on regional government. However, I am sympathetic to the Government, which would say that would mean the referendum not taking place until well into the next Parliament.

The biggest failing about the regional referendum is that very few people know it is going to take place, and, at present, even fewer care. We all have a responsibility to inform people about the issues and argue strongly for the merits of regional government for the benefit of people's lives.