OUR politicians tell us that a regional assembly will greatly benefit us all by representing the views of the entire region (HAS, Apr 8). Why is it that the same politicians are falling out among themselves as they struggle to set up such a group? If the benefits of working together are so obvious, why do we need an additional layer of government to make the politicians work together? Am I getting cynical in my old age or am I missing something here?

We voted overwhelmingly against a North-East assembly a decade ago.

Peter Sotheran, Redcar.