The North-East deserves a yes vote in the forthcoming regional assembly referendum because to say no would be a vote against democracy, a leading minister has warned.
South Shields MP and Schools Standards Minister David Miliband yesterday joined the ranks of the Yes4theNorthEast campaign promising the region would be more "influential and powerful" following a yes decision on November 4.
He said the historic poll was all about voters having the "confidence to have their own voice," while the no campaign was "about using (that voice) badly.
"It's arguing against democracy really," he said.
The education minister, who is seen as a rising star in the Labour Party, said he had already voted in favour of the yes campaign.