You’ll remember the previous plan for trams from Kirkby and the airport withered because of in-fighting here, and a government which had cooled on the whole idea of light rail.

So advanced was the project in 2005 that steel had been ordered for the lines. For all I know, it remains rusting on a Humberside dock waiting for a government with the interests of Merseyside at heart to revive the scheme.

The cost has gone up, of course; £430m is the latest figure, with Mr Hoon being asked for £270m.

I’m confident we will see a united campaign early in the New Year from Merseytravel and the councils to get some of the Manchester money invested here.

The Manchester referendum is the latest example of people derailing politicians’ plans when they are asked for their opinion.

Some take the view referenda give the people a great democratic opportunity to express their view.

I’m not one of them. Ireland has a constitutional requirement for such votes, but often referenda are only granted to us voters when politicians are divided or want to shift responsibility.

Parts of the English population in recent years have been allowed to vote on regional government and congestion charging. But not on capital punishment or the Lisbon Treaty, where there has been a real demand for such a poll.

The holding of referenda depends on the whim of politicians. Regular elections are the occasions when we should vote, and not in between.