LOCAL government reform is the least sexy of subjects. To many people, it is a complete turn-off.

But the people of the North-East should realise the importance of last week's White Paper on regional government. If they choose an elected assembly, and reform of the council structure in Durham, they will chose an historic and long-lasting change.

Just as the Conservatives could not undo the parliaments of Wales and Scotland because they had a degree of democratic popularity, so an assembly chosen by the people of the North-East would be in place for the foreseeable future.

This least sexy of subjects will have a real effect on our ordinary lives. We will pay for the changes through council tax, we will benefit (hopefully) from them, we will have our everyday services delivered by the redesigned councils. We are not talking about abstract concepts here; we are talking about fundamentals like schools, jobs and, of course, empty bins.

The way we vote in a referendum, then, is of vital importance.

The Government appears intent on pushing on with regional assemblies - it was a manifesto pledge in 1997. After all of last week's fuss, it would be a major embarrassment if November's Queen's Speech did not pave the way for an early referendum in the North-East, with Yorkshire to follow soon after.

But last week's White Paper is a discussion document, a preliminary to the legislation which will begin its Parliamentary progress with the Queen's Speech.

If any assembly that comes out of that process is to be effective, it must have all parts of the North-East on board. Therefore, all parts of the North-East must be involved in the discussion on the White Paper.

The south of the region, which is concerned about Newcastle dominance, has to speak up loudly. Its most likely advocates are the leaders of its councils.

But the signs are not good. The councils of the Tees Valley do not always get along as well as they might. Many face elections next year. Middlesbrough and Hartlepool will be concentrating on bedding down their new mayors. Durham's councils will be squabbling among themselves for their future survival.

While looking at their local pictures, the danger is they will not concentrate on the regional one. And that will give the north of the region all the voices in the forthcoming discussion.

The south has to lift its eyes and fight its corner - for the good of the whole North-East region.