TORY leadership candidate Ken Clarke was in Newcastle yesterday, where he warned activists against opposing plans for a regional assembly.
Mr Clarke attended a meeting of Conservative members and also met shoppers in the city centre during his visit.
Urging members and party staff to back him in the leadership race, he said they may "have to think twice" against opposing a regional assembly. He also urged them to support his views on Europe, in a bid to unite the party.
North-East Tory party members are expected to have a major say in who succeeds William Hague as Tory leader. There are about 30,000 members in the region.
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