October 7: Divide and rule policy for Yorkshire leaves us to lag behind

OF course this was all we were ever to be allowed; the Government’s approval of the Sheffield mish-mash is yet more of there same; even bigger, more costly and less effective governance (The Yorkshire Post, October 3). A united Yorkshire would never do – with such unity the county could have had the same clout as Scotland, and enjoyed the benefits which would go with it.

Divide and continue to rule; the several big authorities which are to join Sheffield can be relied upon to fratch between themselves, and will be powerless to oppose the doubling of the North-South economic gap forecast over the next 10 years by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

Their report shows that current spending in London is £5,246 per resident, whereas in the North-East it is £223, with Yorkshire much nearer the latter than the former

There had been a resurgence of Yorkshire identity in recent years; the country is one big display of White Rose flags – but these can now be put away for good.

There never was any chance of a united Yorkshire being permitted. Just as Osborne’s promise to consult the public on devolution was nothing but words.

From: ME Wright, Harrogate.

CONVENIENTLY ignoring the pre-election railway electrification duplicity, Coun Andrew Carter, the Tory leader on Leeds Council, invites critics to “eat their words” following the “unpausing” – albeit delayed (The Yorkshire Post, October 1).

Has this dutiful forelock- tugging to Westminster been a long-time characteristic at Leeds Civic Hall? If so, it probably explains why the city’s public transport continues to languish in the diesel doldrums of the 1960s.

Mindful of the fact that Harrogate could be linking up with Leeds, could I remind the city council that, no matter what their political affiliation, their first and only duty is to Leeds and the region, not to Westminster and the Home Counties?

When we eventually have a fully electrified railway network – including 21st century trams in Leeds – I’ll be more than happy to swallow my words whole.

From: Mr K Byrne, Wetherby.

IT defies belief (Tom Richmond, The Yorkshire Post, October 2) that Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin took so long to act over Network Rail’s management failings.