Polls put off in regional assemblies climbdown

The Government was in full retreat today over plans for elected regional assemblies in England.

In a major U-turn, Tony Blair has ordered Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to postpone two of the three referendums for the devolved authorities.

Three regions in the north of England - the North-West, the North-East and Yorkshire and Humber - were due to hold ballots on 4 November.

Mr Prescott has been told he can press ahead only with the North-East poll - leaving his dream of regional devolution in tatters.

Lord Rooker told the Lords that ministers had decided to postpone the polls after "reflecting" on Electoral Commission advice against using all-postal ballots, as favoured by Mr Prescott.

A spokeswoman for his office said: "We have listened to people's concerns," but no date had been set for the postponed polls.