OUR Prime Minister in-waiting, Gordon Brown, tells us that he is to visit the regions to "listen and learn". That in itself is laughable, for since when did anyone from the Government ever return to or learn from the electorate?

However, in saying he is to visit the regions is he trying to tell us, very subtly - or is it very clearly - that our countries are no longer relevant and will soon be abandoned and relegated to history, with regions and regional governments taking over? Has the Government listened to and learnt from the referendum it held in the north east? It would appear that it is treating the result with its usual contempt.

E F SHOWELL,

Fernhill Heath