Today's front page of The Journal in Newcastle with its demanding editorial

Leading regional newspapers across the north of England have joined forces to demand a fair deal for the region from Westminster's three main political parties.

Their unprecedented unity comes in the wake of promises of enhanced devolved powers made to Scotland during the referendum campaign.

Titles in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Middlesbrough and Darlington have published similar front page messages today, issuing a joint call to politicians to give a pledge to the north on the same lines as the one given to the people of Scotland, as published on Tuesday in the Daily Record.

The historic initiative means that six newspapers, published by three different publishers, are carrying the same demands. They are The Journal and Chronicle in Newcastle, the Middlesbrough Gazette and the Manchester Evening News (all Trinity Mirror); the Northern Echo in Darlington (Newsquest) and the Yorkshire Post (Johnston Press).

The full Journal front page

They argue that the United Kingdom is changing and that the north must not be left behind. They are demanding a form of regional devolution with "the power and funding needed to manage our own affairs." Their statement continues:

"Our region faces the risk of being squeezed between an over mighty London in the south and a resurgent Scotland making the most of its new-found freedoms to the north. But this is also a time of enormous opportunity for the north of England. Let us off the leash and we will create wealth and jobs, and help the UK succeed in today's challenging world. Sensible devolution to regions such as ours, and perhaps ensuring we have a fair hearing at Westminster too, will also help to reassure English voters that they are getting a fair deal after so many promises were made to Scotland during the referendum campaign."

Brian Aitken, editor of Journal, says: "The unprecedented coming together of the great northern newspaper brands should send a clear message to our politicians that it is vital they make sure the north does not suffer from having an economic powerhouse to the south and a far more competitive Scotland to the north."

Peter Barron, editor of the Northern Echo, agrees. "The guarantee of additional powers for Scotland – irrespective of the referendum result - presents particular challenges for the north of England," he says.

"The Northern Echo is happy to be joining forces with other major regional newspapers to call on party leaders to ensure the north of England is not overshadowed or neglected."

Tuesday's Daily Record: it prompted the editors' response

Their views are echoed by Jeremy Clifford, editor of the Yorkshire Post, who says: "The debate over the referendum in Scotland has opened up a much wider call for increased powers for the regions.

"We are joining with newspaper titles across the north to ensure this vitally important part of England does not lose out in the aftermath of the Scotland decision."

On Tuesday, the Glasgow-based Daily Record carried a front page, headlined "The Vow", which said that all three Westminster parties had agreed to deliver "extensive" new powers to the Scottish parliament in the event of a No vote. It stated:

"David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have signed up to a historic joint statement that was demanded by the Daily Record on behalf of the people of Scotland."

It was this joint declaration to the Scottish people that prompted the response by the editors of the north of England papers.

In their front pages, they complain that the north is "already competing on an uneven playing field" and then demands of the trio of leaders: "Now what is your vow to the north?"