THE North-East has a very big decision to make now that David Cameron is in power for a second term and Scotland has a louder voice.

To avoid being squeezed from both ends, it is widely accepted that our region needs more devolved powers in strategic areas, but ministers are making it increasingly clear that those powers will only be granted if an elected mayor is accepted as part of the local government structure.

That led last week to around 70 North-East business leaders signing a letter, calling for the region to agree to the "mayor or bust" ultimatum from the Government.

So should we do as the business community says? Not according to North Durham Labour MP Kevan who Jones told the Commons today that the North-East should not be "bounced" into accepting a metro mayor by "Tory business chiefs".

Mr Jones went on to stress that the letter was the initiative of businessman and "failed" Conservative candidate Jeremy Middleton.

Mr Jones is, of course, right when he says that the North-East needs a considered debate on this very important question.

But the Labour Party must do more than throw party political dogma at the issue and hope it goes away. It is every bit as relevant to say that we shouldn't be bounced out of doing something just because it is Conservative-led.

Whether we like it or not, we have a Conservative government in place and – barring disasters – the North-East has to work with that administration for the next five years.

If an elected mayor is the prerequisite to getting new powers on the basis that it is a more accountable system, then the North-East may have to accept that it is a case of pragmatism over politics.

At the very least, opposition figures have to put some meat on the bones of party political objections and give us solid reasons why it makes sense to stay away from the table.