DEMOCRACY relies on strong opposition because challenging debate and distinct points of view are vital to the process of coming up with the right decisions.

But that does not mean there is no room within the traditional party structure of politics for co-operation between opponents in specialists spheres.

We therefore broadly approve of Gordon Brown's drive to create a Government of all talents, bringing in people from opposition parties with particular areas of expertise. No single party has all the answers and it is therefore in the national interest to look further afield.

Earlier this week, Tory MPs John Bercow and Patrick Mercer, as well as Lib Dem MP Matthew Taylor, agreed to advise the Government on their fields of expertise. Yesterday, Johan Eliasch resigned as Tory Party deputy treasurer to advise the Prime Minister on deforestation and green energy.

Of course, for the ruling party, there is the additional benefit of destabilising the opposition. But we hope Mr Brown's agenda is born out of a genuine desire to serve Britain best rather than narrow party political interests.

Whatever the motive, we have argued for a long time that there is a need for a reinvigoration of politics at both national and local level and we welcome the more consensual approach from the Prime Minister.

Will we see his example being followed at a local level where strict party boundaries remain generally sacred? Perhaps it is a question which can be pursued during the forthcoming referendum on whether Darlington should have an elected mayor.