Too late to matter...most who will vote have voted!

The Journal: Today's Voice of the North
Nov 1 2004
By The Journal

Powers are key to debate
Now that's more like it. A little bit late, but hey, it's the thought that counts.
After last week's Journal leader on the regional assembly 'debate' farce set the cat amongst the pigeons - or in that case, rats amongst the elephants - something constructive has emerged in the battle to give the North-East a louder voice, should an assembly go ahead.
The Liberal Democrats are the people to thank for bringing the debate back to its roots and actually talk about the powers an assembly would, or should have.
John Prescott's shadow with the Lib-Dems, Ed Davey, has said they will use their position in the House of Lords, where they hold the balance of power, to vote down the Regional Assemblies Bill if more powers are not granted.
That is, of course, providing there is a `Yes' vote on Thursday night.
The Lib-Dems should be congratulated for keeping it real in recognising that what is on the table is not enough and threatening to do all it can to ensure we get what we deserve.
The Journal has always been in favour, in principle, of a regional assembly, providing certain criteria are met.
Obviously the Lib-Dems recognise the proposals fall short and more powers need to be added.
Labour has so far failed to address this shortfall and, with only four days to go to the end of voting, maintains its silence by its continuing `purdah' - surely THE buzz word of the whole campaign.
The `Yes' camp says the Government is prepared to hand over the extra powers, so the Lib-Dems are pushing at an open door.
The `No' camp, not surprisingly, seize the Lib-Dems' threat as an admission that the assembly proposals are not good enough.
Both may be right. All we would say is, isn't it great what's best for the region is finally back on the agenda - with not a rat or elephant in sight.