Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said he will oppose plans for England's first regional parliament to be in the North East.

He insisted any future Conservative government would conduct a fresh poll should the public vote in favour of regional government in a referendum.

He also said that his party would actively campaign to keep Northumberland and Durham County Councils and the district authorities threatened under the proposals.

Legislation which could clear the way for a referendum in the North East on regional government is expected to be in the Queen's speech on Wednesday.

That is not democracy. It is astounding to hear a national party leader say that

Councillor Peter Maughan, Liberal Democrats

Speaking on the BBC's North of Westminster, Mr Duncan Smith said there was a "very strong possibility" his party would hold a second referendum.

"We will actively campaign so that a regional authority is not placed here in the North East, or anywhere, and it does not take away powers from bodies that are closer to people.

"When we get back into power, we will say that we do not agree with it and that we will want people to act on that."

He added: "Our position will not change on this. We do not believe regional government works."

Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Maughan, from Gateshead Council, criticised Mr Duncan Smith's view as "undemocratic".

"It sounds to me like typical Conservative views of democracy of 'we'll give you a vote and we'll keep asking you until you vote the way we want to you'.

'Grassroots powers'

"That is not democracy. It is astounding to hear a national party leader say that."

But Conservative Councillor Wayne Daley, of Blyth Valley Council, said an assembly would fail to deliver what people living in the North East want.

He said: "An assembly will have so few powers it is the worst possible of all worlds.

"Lets concentrate and give powers back to councillors at grassroots that is where power should lie . That is where I think the government is very wrong with this legislation."