'YOU could be making a massive mistake...' that's the warning from Dave Watts, Labour MP for St Helens North, to people in the region if they failed to vote 'Yes' for a North West Assembly.

"The North West region needs a strong voice to match the other regions that already have regional assemblies or parliaments. The North West has paid a heavy price over the years because it has failed to effectively lobby on issues which affect the region's economic well being and performance." said Dave.

"The recent announcement by the Rail Regulator, who suggested that the West Coast rail upgrade should be put back a year, demonstrated our inability to punch our weight nationally. While the Government was announcing a £18billion cross-rail project the National Rail Regulator was questioning investment in our key national rail link.

"It was left to individual MPs and business groups to speak out against this proposal and to oppose the regulators plans rather than a united regional response, which would have been able to give a clear and co-ordinated rejection of the Rail Regulator's proposals.

"The campaign for a 'No' vote is in my view based on the self-interest of the County Councils and the misguided view that city regions can somehow offer the same benefits as regional government.

"It is clear to me that the Government proposals will decentralize local council services to local people and I would ask people to consider why educational and social services officers in Preston should be allowed to make local decisions that effect the lives of people who live in Lancaster.

"The Government proposals will create local unitary cells that will run local services like education and social services to local people.

"The Government plans will also decentralize power from Whitehall to the regions and I would once again ask why faceless civil servants in London should be allowed to set local priorities in the North West.

"Those who put forward the city option as an alternative to the regional proposals fail to address two important issues. There are no prospects of such proposals being considered and I believe that such proposals will have little support in the North West. For example, while the people of Merseyside are happy to see their councils co-operate on Merseyside wide issues they do not want the City of Liverpool to be responsible for the local services.

"I am convinced that local people should be able to make decisions at a local level and that key decisions on inward investment, skills training and transport are better taken at regional level.

"The Government's proposals give us one of opportunity to return democratic powers back to the local people and build a strong North West, which can fight for our share of national resources.

"I believe the whole of the North West should now unite and should campaign for a strong North West Regional Assembly with wide ranging powers.

"Over the next few weeks the Government will seek to set out its case for regional government and will be seeking wide support for its proposals from political parties, business and the whole community.

"You can help by showing your support for the Government plans".