Yorkshire devo group: ‘we need debate now’

Yorkshire First has called for a “debate on devolution” as the campaign for Scottish independence enters its final 100 days.

Richard Carter, leader of the pro-devolution party, said: “The Scottish independence referendum in 100 days time has enormous implications on the rest of the United Kingdom not least Yorkshire. Even if the Scots vote no to independence they will still likely end up with a very advanced form of devolution which will give them even more control over their own affairs.

“Yorkshire has the same population as Scotland and twice the economy of Wales, but with the powers of neither. Yorkshire has enormous potential. We have everything except the powers to address our challenges and opportunities as a region. It’s time for change.”

His party proposes the creation of a Yorkshire Parliament, with comparable control over the region’s economy as the Scottish Parliament or the National Assembly for Wales over their respective nations.

Its first electoral test was last month’s European Parliament election, where it won 19,017 votes in the Yorkshire and the Humber region (1.5%) seven weeks after its launch – a “better start” than the SNP and Greens enjoyed.

Carter said his party wants Yorkshire “to play its full part in the UK and to do that we need devolved powers with a democratic mandate”.

He also announced that his party would host a public meeting at the Quaker Meeting House in Friargate, York on Saturday 14 June, 10am-1pm to “discuss the future plans of the party to achieve more powers for the region”.