IT is still vivid in the minds of those who campaigned against the threat to local democracy - the sight of Labour's Tony Blair and the then Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, standing shoulder to shoulder supporting the North East Assembly.

It is of little use now that local councillors complain (Echo, Mar 28) that the district councils are to be scrapped, for it was the same councillors who supported this agenda (or even worse chose to say nothing) two years back, knowing the full consequence of these original proposals.

Opponents have consistently stated, with links to specific factual information, that despite the "No"

vote, there was still a direct threat to local democracy and one tier of government would be removed to offer legitimacy to the EU-inspired Regional Assembly.

It clearly states this in the Labour manifesto, and the local LibDem leadership has made clear on numerous occasions within The Northern Echo its support for the regional assembly.

Is it any wonder we are bottom of the pile on far too many issues, when local councillors, Labour and LibDem, knew fine well the consequences of their party manifesto or support for the assembly, only to now publicly suggest they are concerned for democracy?

Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.