IT is time the seven million people in the north west secured direct control over matters which most affect our region alone.
With only five million residents, Scotland is a junior relation to this region but has gained its own parliament. It now runs all its own domestic affairs and Edinburgh is increasingly seen as a European capital.
The same cannot be said for our region. But now, with our Government increasingly looking upwards and playing a key role in shaping decisions for the whole of Europe, it is time for control over regional matters to be passed down from Whitehall.
A North West Constitutional Convention is due to publicise its proposals for the way forward in the autumn but we should not wait until then - the debate about the future of the region should start now.
Chris Davies, Liberal democrat MEP.
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