YP Comment: Think outside the box on Yorkshire devolution

The bid for Leeds City Region was submitted to the Treasury 18 months ago in September 2015, hence why local leaders are frustrated at the impasse when rival regions appear to be making the most of new powers.

Yet herein lines the rub. Despite WYCA being “devolution ready” according to chairman Peter Box, who then defends his organisation’s record, it cannot be viewed in isolation. What matters is the best deal for the whole region, whether this be a Yorkshire-wide mayor or the empowerment of each city-region to reflect the county’s diversity.

And it is this latter point which explains the impatience of Coun Box, also leader of Wakefield Council, in his letter challenging Communities Secretary Sajid Javid to provide some clarity. Like it or not, those advocating the city-region approach have still to prove that this can work without duplication of effort and resource – issues like skills and transport transcend artificial local government boundaries – at a time when taxpayers expect more effective governance rather than additional tiers of leaders. Equally, proponents of a countywide mayor need to prove that such a figurehead can make a difference in a region where the interests of farmers and the food sector are so different, for example, to the needs of manufacturers and those at the forefront of digital technology, an exercise now being undertaken by Barnsley MP Dan Jarvis.

With Coun Box concluding his letter by saying WYCA will look at a model “based on a larger geographic footprint” if the city-region plan is rejected, it’s even more reason for each and every political and business leader to think again on this defining issue.

Shocking rise in hate crimes

EVEN though the rise in hate crime will be attributed by some to more victims reporting such allegations rather than suffering in silence, there is no excuse – Brexit or otherwise – for the levels of abuse now being recorded. This intolerance is totally at odds with Yorkshire’s reputation as the UK’s most hospitable region. It also suggests that existing penalties are not a deterrent and that the police and society should, in fact, learn from football’s example in condemning and disowning all racist language, whether from players or spectators in the stands.

There is simply no defence – or excuse – for the misery perpetuated by such reckless use of offensive language and harmful words which can cause victims to live in fear of their lives. Given its demographics, it’s inevitable that there is a proliferation of cases in West Yorkshire, just one of three forces in the UK to record more than 1,000 offences in the three-month period after last June’s EU referendum, but the 68 per cent increase in cases in North Yorkshire to 64 is just as disturbing.

While it is up to the criminal justice system to determine its response, these shocking statistics are a reminder to all sections of society to be mindful of the rhetoric, and its tone, when debating Brexit and related issues like immigration. Though migration policy will be integral to the negotiations with the EU when Theresa May triggers Article 50, politicians can set an example by doing so in a measured manner which respects the fact that Britain’s ethnic diversity is, in fact, one of this country’s greatest attributes.

Full steam ahead

HOW apt that the iconic Settle to Carlisle railway line should go back in time to prepare for its relaunch following a landslip brought about by the previous winter’s floods.

Not only did the snow-capped scenery provide a magnificent backdrop to the alluring splendour of the Tornado steam engine pulling scheduled services between Skipton and Appleby, but the nationwide media interest was another priceless advertisement for Yorkshire tourism. And it also showed the extent to which this famous line resonates with the public at large. A great feat of UK engineering thanks to 22 viaducts like Ribblehead, and 14 tunnels, this route survived closure attempts by both Dr Beeching and British Rail.

For this, the county is indebted to all those campaigners who ensured the survival of a railway like no other, and thanks in no small part to its ancient signal boxes and other idiosyncrasies preserved from the past. Now it’s full steam ahead for the reopening of the entire route on March 31 by Yorkshire’s very own Flying Scotsman. It will be a sight to savour.