David Cameron may have been joking when he referred to Yorkshire folk not getting on with each other but the mish-mash of different devolution bids coming from our county doesn’t do much to counter that view.
I believe that devolution offers Yorkshire an unprecedented opportunity to take more control of its own destiny as a huge economic power base.
However that potential is much diluted by the current situation in which a number of separate bids have been put forward to the Government.
Our preferred choice would have been for a Greater Yorkshire devolution package – better together to borrow a phrase – and I’m not giving up on that goal.
To that end, and with the support of some council leaders, MPs and MEPs, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has developed a devolution proposition for a Greater Yorkshire Combined Authority and is encouraging others to support it.
We hope our local authority neighbours, MPs in those areas, MEPs covering Yorkshire, the three local enterprise partnerships and other partners and businesses will back the overall thrust of the arguments for a Greater Yorkshire bid.
We Yorkshire folk are rightfully proud of our county and everything which makes it the best place in the world to live, work and visit. It’s like a small country in itself and a Yorkshire Powerhouse would compete on the national and international stage.
By combining our strengths, we could have an even more vibrant economy and a greater voice at Westminster which would benefit our residents and businesses.
Devolution is a huge opportunity and I hope it will propel Yorkshire into a future of more independence to run its own affairs rather than isolating areas and leaving us a county divided.
I have written to colleagues across North, West and East Yorkshire, asking for support, and hope that together we will be submitting a Greater Yorkshire devolution proposal to the Government later this month.
