IT is hard to escape the feeling that the political parties are making it up as they go along when it comes to how to respond to calls to devolve more powers to the English regions.

In their desperate scramble to preserve the Union, the political parties came together to promise the people Scotland more power over their own affairs.

But the knock-on effect has seen the English regions, such as the North-East, demanding greater autonomy – and the promises this time are far more vague.

Scotland will be able to cut Airport Passenger Duty (APD), but calls for English airports to do the same in order to compete fairly have so far been side-stepped.

On a visit to the North-East yesterday, David Cameron said the region would not have to accept a London-style mayor in order to get greater powers. He also dismissed a return to the idea of elected regional assemblies, which was blown out of the water by the people of the North-East a decade ago.

Beyond that, there was nothing of any real substance. He told us that the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) will get more powers – but what powers will they be?

As the appeasement of Scotland goes on, and more powers are added to Holyrood, the concerns of the English regions – especially the neighbouring North-East – will grow.

And, as the election gets closer, there will be an expectation of greater clarity from each of the parties about how a level playing field is to be achieved in the carve up of power.