What you can do

Everyone can get involved in some way, and it does not require a great deal of effort. If you follow the links and suggestions below, we have made it as easy as possible for you to participate.

Online Forums - There are two running at the moment, simply hit the link and have your say.

BBC - three separate forums cover the region: Tees / Tyne / Wear

The Journal forum - 'Have Your Say'

Radio Phone-Ins - The BBC have two stations covering the region and both have topical phone-in discussions. Here are the links and contact details. Remember to keep the points nice and succinct...and at all times sound reasonable.

Radio Newcastle

- Weekdays, 7-10am: Mike Parr In The Morning.
"Packed with local news, sport, weather and travel. Join the distinctive Mike Parr and his lively crew for the brightest way to find out what's happening in your part of the world, and share your views through the morning."
Call: 0191 232 6565 or text: 07786 200954

- Sunday, 10am-12noon: Call Tony Cartledge:
"Your chance to have your say on the news stories of the week."
Call: 0191 2326565

Radio Cleveland

9am-12noon: The Matthew Davies Phone-In.
"Matthew Davies brings you the show which brings you everything you need to know - about everything. The place to have your say on the day's talking points." Call: 01642 22 55 11

Write a letter to your local or regional newspaper - There are local and regional newspapers with very active letters pages, and these can be useful in raising awareness of the issue.

Please remember to keep the message brief and to the point, usually less than 200 words, and include your name address and telephone number. Always address it to the Letters Editor. You can send by post or by e-mail, with the latter being the fastest medium.

Click here (MS Word document) or here (PDF format) for the contact details for all the North East Letters Pages including e-mail addressess.

Contact your MP - find out your MP's view on an elected assembly and lobby them to oppose one. Remember, your constituency MP has a duty to respond to you. Be brief and courteous and respect his / her position of office. You can also arrange a surgery visit to discuss their position. We will be publishing a full list of exactly where they stand on the website. There is enough information in the public domain for them to be up to speed on the matter so an obfuscated answer is not acceptable.

Click here and enter your postcode to find your MP's name and contact details.

Alternatively, use the handy service for contacting your MP provided by FaxYourMP.com - enter your postcode below to begin.