For those interested in council corruption try this website (www.dadsplace.co.uk) set up by locals in Sunderland angry over the ruling Labour group's shady dealings, dereliction and deceit over a period of decades.

It receives a plug in the most recent Private Eye (Writing on the Walls page 11 in the 'Rotten Boroughs' section) and is the subject of an article in the Newcastle-based, Trinity-Mirror owned, Journal newspaper reporting that the 'Walls' in question, Peter Walls, Sunderland Housing Group Chief, formerly council housing director at Sunderland Council is unhappy (to say the least) about the site and is trying to close it down.

Before he does, get yourself along to Dadsplace and enjoy the fun!

The Sunderland Echo has reported that Peter Walls, head of Sunderland Housing Group, and one of the main targets of the site has sent legal letters to the locals who run the site. It also reports that the trade unions are uneasy about the running of SHG and a report is to be sent to the government.

No doubt, the local Labourites will be covering their tracks.

Nick Griffin has also commented on the furore on the BNP's revamped website. Click on the link 'articles' and look for 'Justice for Dads - and the people of Sunderland'.

The north-east did not vote against devolution, but it did express its distaste for politics and politicians. Unfortunately, however, the noth-east will remain in the hands of anonymous civil servants and junior ministers - as will yorkshire and the north-west - for the foreseeable future.

Geordie, what do you mean by devolution?

Devolved government wasn't on offer in my opinion, just another gravy train, which the voters rightly rejected. Even, where devolved government is in place such as Scotland and Wales, it isn't universally popular. While in London, turnouts for the elections don't go over 50%. Although, I still think they have more chance of making a difference in those areas than what Prescott offered to the North East.

However, regional assemblies still exist, albeit unelected, the one in the North East has 75 members including councillors from all 23 authorities, civil servants and favoured appointees.

The proposed Regional Assembly in the North East was just a talking shop, albeit elected, with very little powers, other than to raise Council Tax. The government also had a veto on anything proposed that might contravene the national interest or put the region at an advantage in relation to the other regions. Real devolution would mean elected mayors and directly elected police, health and education authorities. In other words, strenghtening existing local authorities and expanding democracy rather than creating a regional tier and abolishing the County Councils which have more of a traditional feel than the nine artificial regions of England. Labour has back-pedalled on elected police authorities in case the wrong people get elected to them. The proposed NERA also had an electoral threshold of about 5% to prevent "extremists" from being elected. Such is Labour's commitment to further local democracy.

An English Parliament would also solve the constitutional quandry (and mess) Labour is currently grappling with. An idea that has cross party support. Labour MPs Frank Field and Kate Hoey have recently called for it, though they are in the minority where Labour is concerned.

The North East did show its distaste for more politicians. Not sure about politics though as nearly 50% voted!