What was \the question?

Electors unsure as 'safe bet' north-east assembly vote draws near
Peter Hetherington, regional affairs editorFriday September 3, 2004
Campaigning for England's first regional devolution referendum began yesterdaywith a glitzy launch in Durham city and an opinion poll showing relatively strong support for an elected assembly in the north-east.

But rolling out a string of supporting personalities, from the former Olympicathlete and commentator Brendan Foster, to the president of Newcastle United,Sir John Hall, the group Yes 4 the North East acknowledged that many electors were unsure of their views two months before the all-postal ballot.

Yesterday's ICM poll for the group, among 1,000 electors in the north-east,found that while 48% would back an assembly - one broadly similar to the GreaterLondon Authority - 27% were against it. But the 25% undecided will determine theoutcome of the November 4 referendum.

Guests packed into Durham's town hall, which could provide the home for a25-member assembly, to the sound of the Manchester band M People reinforcing theslogan "Vote for the North East - be proud, be positive".

Mr Foster told the audience that the north-east needed a strong voice to counterthe centralist tendencies of the government and the growing strength of Londonand the south-east. "There is no strategy for the region," he said. "I am surethe north-east wants to control its own destiny.
This is make or break, a oncein a lifetime opportunity."

In July, the deputy prime minister, John Prescott, who has campaigned forEngland's devolution, postponed the plans for referendums in the north-west andYorkshire. This came after pressure from Downing Street following a rebellion bybackbench Labour MPs who claimed referendums would be a damaging distraction forthe government seven months before a likely general election.

But thenorth-east, less marginal than the other regions, was considered to be a saferbet.Today marks the deadline for organisations, such as Yes 4 the North East, toapply to the Electoral Commission for designation as official campaign groups,each eligible for £100,000 of public funds. While only one yes campaign has emerged, the commission needs to decide between two no campaigns.

One is led bythe Sunderland "metric martyr" Neil Herron, and the other is funded largely by the old north-east establishment and veteran businessmen, including the former transport magnate Sir Tom Cowie.

The commission will make a final decision around September 14 when groups willbe reminded that spending will be capped at £665,000 - if they can raise thatmuch cash - including the £100,000 public grant.

In addition, political parties will face spending caps based on their share ofthe vote in the last local elections in the north-east. Labour and the LiberalDemocrats, which will both campaign for a yes vote, will be allowed to spend nomore than £665,000 and £400,000 respectively, while the Tories and the UK Independence party, in the no camp, will be capped at £400,000 each.

To further complicate the process, individuals too can register with thecommission and will be able to spend up to £100,000 each. This has raised fearsamong commission officials that wealthy individuals will be able to exploit theprocess by spreading money around sympathisers while remaining anonymous.
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004