I CAN see some of the arguments for the introduction of regional government but, at the moment, I remain to be convinced that it is the way ahead.

There are too many questions yet to be answered but, I would have to say that, in principle, my instincts are against the idea.

Having said that, I can see the reasoning of the pro-lobby. Living in the North-East, having spent my working life in the North-East and now working in London, I definitely feel a sense of being from a region. I do identify very much with the North-East of England.

And I can see some sense in regional government because we have, in the North-East, a large number of civil servants who are making decisions about the future of the area even though we have not voted for them (and more important, can't dismiss them). I think that we really do need to make them part of the democratic process, to make sure that they are accountable to us. Regional government could play a part in that process because I think we need to elect the people who make the key decisions about the future of the North-East. At the moment, that is not happening.

However, for all that, the main reason I am sceptical in principle at the moment is because I think the public mood is against it. They are concerned that it would simply mean more government and more politicians and the people I talk to in the pub do not want to see more politicians in the North-East.

Although the main advantage of a regional assembly, were it to be introduced, would be to increase democracy and accountability in the region, I would have to oppose if it were simply another talking shop. If the new system is to work it has to prove that it is not merely adding to the level of government.

In addition, more government and more politicians tend to mean more cost and that would be a concern were regional government to be introduced. How it would be a financed is a major question, for me. Who will finance the set-up costs, who will pay the staff, and once it has taken its decisions, how will the regional government finance their implementation?

I cannot see regional government being given its own tax-raising powers. In any event, I think it would be wrong to impose on the people of the North-East a further tax burden. I need to be convinced about the way regional government will be financed before I can give it my backing and I think that a lot of questions still need to be answered to prove that it will be cost-neutral.

Apart from the issue of finance, I am also concerned that the regional government would lack credibility. It needs to be given clear powers and the wherewithal to use them but my concern is that there would be a lot of talking but not enough action. Without central government financing the new body, it really is difficult to see how it can make a real difference and make decisions which are truly to the benefit of the North-East.

I know people say the move towards regional government is inevitable. My background is in policing and law and order and I can see the argument that elements of the police service are already acting in an increasingly regional manner. My view is that the police can co-operate regionally but it does not matter where the headquarters are - or how many there are - policing still has to be local.

I think that argument has to be born in mind when planning the next step for local government in the North-East as well. A regional government would have to be part of a system which benefited local people.

In order to address the concerns about the proposal being an extra tier of government, the referendum called by the Government later this year will ask people how they want councils to be restructured. My view is that we should preserve the county council model and remove the district councils. In County Durham, where I live, the county council has proved itself a very effective instrument and I feel it should be retained. The county council is small enough to operate with a strong local presence.

I ought to say, though, that, for me, this is a debate which is still ongoing and my mind is not yet made up. For me to support the idea, I would need some assurances about the way regional government would work. As it stands, I remain to be convinced.

Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, OBE, a former senior Durham police officer and ex-president of the Superintendents' Association, now an advisor to the Government on law and order issues. Lord Mackenzie lives in County Durha