What's the difference between a politician lying in the road and a hedgehog? There are skid marks before the hedgehog. That's how one wag summed up how some of the public view their elected representatives.

In the end it was a cynicism that proved too much to overcome in the recent regional assembly referendum and it's a lesson all politicians should learn from.

It proved impossible for assembly supporters like myself to move the debate on from the "more politicians, more cost" argument.

But I have no regrets and it's been a real privilege to work with the Yes leader, Professor John Tomaney. John is a thoroughly honourable man who never intended to stand for the assembly. Suggesting that those in favour of an assembly were only looking after their snouts was way off target - the motives were simply to try and improve life in the North-East.

I've always spoken out for what I believe is right and I have no intention of changing. Credibility is about being open and honest with the public - not simply trying to guess what it is they want you to say.

Some time ago I spoke in favour of dismantling the ghost ships at Hartlepool - not because it was a vote winner but because, after considering both sides of the argument, I felt it was right.

So whether it's the ghost ships, a regional assembly or ridding a town of beggars, I'll continue to speak out rather than trying to win votes by being populist or sitting on the fence.

And I hope newspapers take the same stance in their editorial columns.

The fact that this newspaper supported an assembly doesn't dent its credibility. It shows we have a free press - and that's best illustrated by the fact The Northern Echo's sister paper, the Darlington & Stockton Times, took the opposite view.

I consider myself a manager first and a politician second and, as such, I know that co-ordination of resources is vital if you are to operate at maximum efficiency.

The No vote doesn't change the fact that on many socio-economic indicators, such as productivity, health, crime, education and employment, this area fares badly and it's up to elected representatives to try and rectify that situation.

Clearly the public did not feel a regional assembly was the answer and I can assure everyone I have received that message loud and clear.

But, I believe there is also growing disquiet that this region has been given such a raw deal. I intend to take every opportunity to champion the cause of the North-East because that will have a beneficial effect on Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley.

I'm delighted to have been appointed to the board of regional development agency One NorthEast as it gives me the opportunity to work for the whole of the region.

I'm always interested in listening to other people's ideas and will be engaging with leading No campaigners, business leaders, academics, the public, politicians and others.

North-East coal powered an industrial revolution and now our power plants continue to fuel Britain's growth. Our ships and trains were crucial to the country's development and our steel and chemical expertise continues this vital role.

The argument for a regional assembly may have been lost but the argument for fairness for the North-East remains.