Devolution is the political word of the moment. Cities and regions which have typically felt that they are unable to control their own spending and futures are being given an exciting and unique opportunity to take matters into their own hands. The Government committed in its Conservative Manifesto in the run-up to the General Election in May that it would continue to give more powers to local areas.
This opportunity has been welcomed by local authorities and so far over thirty proposals have been submitted for regional devolution across the United Kingdom. Next month, the Cities and Devolution Bill will enact the mechanisms to allow unprecedented power for the new devolved areas in services such as fire, police and public transport. The crucial factor in all of this is the Government’s self-imposed distance in the process. Whitehall are not dictating or defining the geographical areas in which devolution will take place, but instead, the driving force is coming from the local authorities themselves.
In Yorkshire, there have been a number of different options submitted including a Leeds City Region Bid and an East Riding and North Yorkshire County Council bid. However, as the Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, an area which encompasses Craven District Council and much of Harrogate Borough Council, I believe we should seek inspiration from the Tour de France and look to push for the wider geographic focus offered by the Greater Yorkshire proposal which would include North, East and West Yorkshire.
We are so fortunate in Yorkshire to live in an area which has a clear and distinctive brand. We have already had the opportunity to showcase the best of what Yorkshire has to offer through the Tour de France, and unsurprisingly, it was met with awe and admiration by the rest of the world. I agree with Greg Clark, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he said in China this week that a solution which comprised of Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Hull as well as North Yorkshire and the East Riding would prove ‘formidable’. This would be the revolution that the Chancellor has spoken about; a solution which unites the global brand of Yorkshire and has the means and ambition to be a leading figure on the national and international stage.
I’m firmly of the opinion that if we are to push ahead with devolution, we should strive for an ambitious solution which is going to play a key role in the Northern Powerhouse. We are best placed in Yorkshire to make the decisions which affect us and a Greater Yorkshire would present an incredible opportunity to improve our connections and infrastructure, to increase the rate of house building to meet the needs of our growing population and to channel investment into our key industrial sectors. Uniting as a Greater Yorkshire is not punching above our weight, but giving our great region the weight it deserves both in the UK and around the world.
