Press Release: "The People Have Spoken"

Press Release
North East No Campaign
5th November 2004

"The People have Spoken"

Having fought as the No Campaign for over two years we would like to thank everyone in the North East who has helped and supported the campaign, and the electorate who emphatically rejected this ill-conceived, ill-thought out political con trick. A con trick because the North East Assembly still exists in an unelected form on the Quayside in Newcastle.

The overwhelming landslide does not come as a surprise to us (as Ladbrokes will confirm) and Neil Herron and Colin Moran (Strategy Director) predicted this result a long time ago.

After over 50 public debates with the Yes Campaigners, including those with Government Ministers, massive press and media coverage throughout the campaign of all the People's No Campaign's activities, we have proved that the people really do have a voice and our effectiveness and winning tactics were even recognised by the Electoral Commission whose attempt to sideline us and polarise the debate into a party poltical one failed miserably.

The 'official' designated No Campaign were very late arrivals in the well established fight and there were very few hearts and minds left to be convinced that what was on offer was nothing more than a 'White Elephant.'

Despite this historic victory, we have to state very clearly, because telling it as it is has become our trademark, that the unnecessary creation of a 'rival' No Campaign with its obvious links to a political party was a massive disappointment to our campaign and all who supported it, and produced the political infighting which we had tried so hard to avoid.

The Electoral Commission's decision, against all logic, not to mention the track record of the two campaigns, aroused deep suspicions not just amongst the public but the press and media as well. In our view and many others around the country, an unforgivable act to marginalise a campaign run by the people, for the people. We expect some serious revelations during the post mortem investigation.

Our many supporters across the region absorbed our message which was delivered at grass roots level through public meetings, local newspaper letters pages as well as the broadcast media, and our advertising campaign on the run-in (funded by public donation) helped mobilise the massive No vote.

Our thanks also go to the North East press and media for their very professional coverage of the referendum and despite the aforementioned designation decision were more than pleased to continue with the People's Campaign...a source of analysis, confrontation and informed comment...and the fact that we also brought some good helpings of colour and humour to the debate and had a few laughs along the way.

Finally, our utmost respect goes to the Yes Campaign, for their passion and dedication to the region and their courage in a fight where the product they had been given to sell would have broken the best of salespeople.

We look forward to working closely with all who have the region's best interests at heart, whichever side of the debate they come from, and the momentum we have created must now drive forward a real positive vision for the North East.
Meanwhile, the writing is on the wall for the unelected Assembly situated on the Quayside in Newcastle as there will be intense pressure on all local authorities to withdraw their 'voluntary' funding, paid for by North East ratepayers who totally rejected the idea of a North East Assembly. To view this associated release click here

ENDS

Neil Herron
Campaign Director
North East No Campaign
Frederick Street
Sunderland
SR1 1NA
www.northeastnocampaign.co.uk
www.neilherron.blogspot.com
Tel. 0191 565 7143
Mob. 07776 202045