The North-East is among regions holding a referendum

Shadow regions secretary Bernard Jenkin says a new YouGov internet poll is a major blow to the government's plans.

That claim was disputed by Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford, who said the more people heard about the plans, the more they were persuaded.

The North East, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber will hold referendums on the assembly idea.

Changing minds

The Tory-commissioned poll suggests that when people outside London hear the arguments on both sides they are opposed to regional assemblies by 54% to 24%.

Mr Jenkin told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If you ask people off the top of their heads whether they want regional assemblies they say that is an interesting idea, I might go for that.

"If you run them through the arguments in favour and the arguments against... then people change their minds quite dramatically.

"I do not claim that this shows that the government is on to a complete loser. I do think it shows there needs to be proper debate."

Campaign launch

He said the government's current information campaign failed to answer the questions asked by business organisations.

People did not want an "extra row of politicians" in new assemblies which would have little effect.

Mr Raynsford said: "There is a need for a great deal more information about the specific proposals that we are bringing forward for elected regional assemblies.

"That is why the deputy prime minister and myself are going to the northern regions next week to launch a new information programme particularly for business.

"This month we are focusing on the economic regeneration and development elements of the elected regional assembly proposals."

Mr Raynsford said the poll ran against his own experience of talking to people - "the more one explains the benefits, the more they support the proposals".

Instead, of adding red tape, the move would clear away bureaucracy, he added.