AFTER being at the helm for so long, it feels strange not to have played a part in the production of a front page of The Northern Echo on a day of history.

But it seems to me that today's front page is in the best interests of the paper: bold, honest, creative - and from the heart. Whatever the result on Friday morning, my former colleagues should be proud.

I will be walking round to the polling booth in our County Durham village shortly and, having listened to the debate – including the increasingly reckless claims from both sides - I’ll be voting to remain in the EU.

When flagship North-East companies such as Nissan and Hitachi declare that it is in the interests of this country, and the North-East region, to be an active part of Europe, that is what I hear most clearly above the clamour.

The Northern Echo: The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
No political axe to grind - Justin Welby

I am also someone who instinctively feels that the more the world comes together, the better it has to be for our children. The “bridges, not barriers” case presented by Archbishop of Canterbury and former Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby – a man I have come to trust more than most – was the fairest, most compelling contribution to the debate I have read.

Having said all of that, I also respect the genuine views of many British people who will strongly disagree with that conclusion. They are right that the EU is far from perfect and, whatever the result, this momentous referendum represents a huge call for change.

It is the most important decision facing our country for a generation. I hope we emerge from it as members of the EU – and that we move into a new era of politics which places more emphasis on listening and respect for the opinions and fears of others.