The Evening Gazette on Teesside has organised a public meeting with deputy prime minister John Prescott to debate an elected regional assembly for the north east.

The September 10 event at the University of Teesside is part of the paper's Tees Pride campaign and will also feature a senior shadow Conservative minister alongside a 'Yes' panel and a 'No' panel.

On November 4, the north east will be the first area in England to vote in a referendum on whether to have an elected regional assembly.

Evening Gazette editor Steve Dyson will introduce the debate to be chaired by Tyne Tees TV political editor Gerry Foley.

Steve told HoldtheFrontPage: "We like to be right at the centre of issues which need explanation and provide a forum for our readers.

"We are not voicing an opinion the assembly one way or the other but are saying that it's up to our readers to decide.

"We regularly hold summits and often open up the doors to ask the movers and shakers what's going on.

"Papers give people news and sport but we want to take that one step further and get our readers to challenge the movers and shakers on these issues."

A opinion column in the Evening Gazette read: "Most of what's on record at the moment amounts only to an overview of the situation, with what some would say are glib explanations from both the 'Yes' and 'No' campaigners.

"What is needed is more in-depth analyses of the arguments for and against what would be an historic development in regional government.

"If it makes such sense, 'Yes' campaigners must be tasked to describe exactly why. And if some feel it's nonsense, then 'No' campaigners should be challenged to explain their thinking properly, as we are not content with a simple Luddite reaction.

"The November 4 referendum could well change the way we are governed in the North-east. We must make sure we understand what we are voting for."

The Evening Gazette's Tees Pride campaign is half way through its third year of fighting to make the Tees Valley area a better place to live, work and do business.

The paper launched the initiative to focus on regeneration of the Tees Valley and to celebrate the success of business and community pride. It is bringing together readers, businesses, local authorities and community groups.

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