North-East Regional Assembly

On 4 November 2004 there will be a referendum in the North-East of England on whether or not to have an elected regional assembly for the region. The latest MORI research on behalf of the Northern Echo looks at the knowledge of the referendum process, likelihood of voting, and attitudes towards an elected regional assembly. Among the key findings are:

• Opposition outweighs support, and this opposition is stronger among those who claim to know a great deal or a fair amount about the proposals for an elected regional assembly.
• Just over two in five say they are certain to vote in the forthcoming referendum.
• Those who say they are certain to vote are more likely to say that they will vote against an elected regional assembly.
• Of those asked, 42% say they will vote against an elected regional assembly with only 35% saying they will vote for.
• Overall awareness of proposals for elected regional assembly is low (29% say they know a great deal/fair amount).
• North East residents are twice as likely to choose Newcastle than Durham -- the two most popular locations -- as the home for an elected regional assembly.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative sample of 1013 British adults from the North East of England aged 16+ between 11 and 12 October 2004. Data are weighted to match the profile of the North East.

Topline Results

• Results are based on 1,013 interviews conducted by telephone with a sample of residents aged 16+ across the North East of England
• Interviews were conducted between 11-12 October 2004
• Data are weighted by gender, age, area and work status to the known profile of the North East
• Where results do not sum to 100%, this may be due to multiple responses, computer rounding or the exclusion of 'don't know/not stated' response categories
• Results are based on all respondents unless otherwise stated

Q1 There are proposals that there should be an elected regional assembly for the North East of England region. How much, if anything, would you say you know about these proposals? Is that a great deal or fair amount / not very much or nothing at all?

Q2 Still thinking about elected regional assemblies, which one of these best describes current plans for the North East of England region, as far as you are aware?

Q3 How strongly do you support or oppose the North East of England having its own regional assembly? Is that strongly/tend to support/oppose?

Q4 The Government has announced that a referendum will be held in the next couple of weeks on whether or not there should be an elected regional assembly for the North East of England. On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely would you be to vote in the referendum, where 1 means you are absolutely certain you would not vote and 10 that you would be absolutely certain you would vote.

Q5 If you do vote in the referendum, would you vote for or against an elected regional assembly?

Q6 Have you definitely decided to vote (for/against) an elected assembly or is there a chance you may change your mind before you vote? Base: All stating a voting intention (781)

Q7 Where in the North East do you think an elected regional assembly should be based? Q7a And where do you think it should not be based?

Q8 If the result of a referendum is in favour of an elected regional assembly, then there would be changes to the structure of local government in Northumberland and County Durham. The current system of district and county councils would be replaced by a new system of all-purpose 'unitary' councils which provide all local government services. How much, if anything, have you heard about these proposals? Is that a great deal or fair amount/not very much or nothing at all?

Q9 Two options for local government have been set out. In the referendum, people in County Durham and Northumberland will be asked to say which they prefer. At this stage, which one of the following would you prefer... Base: All who live in Northumberland or Durham (332)

Q10 Now that you know about possible changes to local government in your area, on a scale of 1 to 10, how likely would you be to vote in the referendum, where 1 means you are absolutely certain you would not vote and 10 that you would be absolutely certain you would vote. Base: All who live in Northumberland or Durham (332)

Q11 And if you do vote in the referendum, would you vote for or against an elected regional assembly? Base: All who live in Northumberland or Durham (332)

Q11 -- Comparisons. And if you do vote in the referendum, would you vote for or against and elected regional assembly?

Q12 And finally, how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Is that strongly/tend to agree/disagree?