THERE is something strange about the current debate over local government. Those engaged in it know it is a debate which may well prove to have been unnecessary because it is about what should happen if regional assemblies become a reality.

So this "what if" debate is based upon the pretext that the electorate will give the regional government concept its blessing next year and regional assemblies for Yorkshire and the North-East will be created.

It is our view that people in places like Hawes and Barnard Castle will recognise that they share few common interests with the people of Leeds and Newcastle and will vote against regional assemblies. We also believe the urban population does not care sufficiently to vote for them. So the argument about what might lie beneath a new tier of regional government has an air of unreality about it.

That said, local politicians are duty bound to engage in this debate and this week the district councils put their case forward for amalgamation as unitary authorities with county councils being scrapped. The county councils have already made their case for being the new unitary authorities with the district councils being consigned to history. It is a predictable re-run of arguments heard at the last local government shake-up which took place only six years ago.

Then, we advanced the case for retaining county and district councils in rural areas. But there can only be one tier under the regional assemblies and amalgamated districts seem the best option. Counties alone would be too remote. While county councils have talked about enhancing the role played by town and parish councils, it is unrealistic for most parish councils to take on more responsibilities. With what would be, in effect, two levels of regional government, many smaller rural communities would be disenfranchised and quickly disenchanted.

Larger district councils should, of course, be considered the least worst option. Those who value the work of North Yorkshire and Durham county councils should start working now to stop the regional assembly bandwagon before it gets going.