The Tories can do anti-politics too. Here’s how

November marks ten years since the North East voted overwhelmingly to reject Government proposals for a Regional Assembly. While there were signs that the electorate was becoming increasingly disillusioned – Hartlepool voting for a man dressed as a monkey as Mayor in 2002 – the 2004 referendum was decisive proof that the electorate was entering a period of anti-politics.

The North East Says No Campaign (NESNO) was the ultimate anti-politics campaign, tearing into the establishment and turning around the polls from 3-1 in favour of an Assembly, to 4-1 against. NESNO’s business spokespeople stuck to the message that a yes vote just meant higher taxes and more politicians. The campaign team created a stream of TV events: for example, burning fake £50 notes to show how much would be wasted; hiring diggers to ‘start’ the inevitable new building; and taking a huge inflatable white elephant on tour to show what the Assembly was all about.