Devolution deal is dividing region

TREVOR Uren asks why the four South of Tyne councils are not joining the devolution deal with central government.

A more pertinent question might be: Why have the three North of Tyne councils broken ranks and allowed parochialism to override the interests of the wider region?

Clearly, the so-called North East Combined Authority wasn’t combined after all, otherwise the majority view would have prevailed and the minority fallen in line.

He calls £600m spread out over 30 years (assuming the money is shared equally) a super deal that will create thousands of jobs. Really?

And on the issue of a North East Mayor, will it not be a negation of democracy to place such powers as are proposed into the hands of a single individual, one whose election, I predict, the turnout at the ballot will prove a travesty of the democratic process.

Like Mr Uren, I too am a County Durham lad of 71 years, still proud to consider myself as such 44 years after the last Tory administration to meddle with local government robbed me of my birthright and lumped Sunderland into the absurd inanity that is Tyne and Wear.

As a postscript, may I suggest to the three North of Tyne councils, apparently seeking a more engaging designation for their nascent authority, the name they were known by prior to being split asunder – Northumberland. Similarly, the four South of Tyne councils might consider reverting to their own former collective identity and become County Durham again. KEN JARVIS Sunderland