Time for Yorkshire to declare independence – Yorkshire Post Letters

WE should be demanding devolution for the whole of Yorkshire (which must include the return of all those parts of the county which were stolen in 1974 and before).

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each have devolved governments, and Scotland is again banging the drums for full independence.

Yorkshire’s economy is similar to that of Scotland, and similar to that of Northern Ireland and Wales combined. Yorkshire has a population of over five million, almost identical to that of Scotland, and more than Northern Ireland and Wales combined.

If we want devolved government for Yorkshire, then frighten the hell out of Westminster by demanding full independence of a United Yorkshire with all the stolen pieces returned (Germany did it after the fall of the Berlin Wall).

A devolved Yorkshire could of course decide its own requirements for elected mayors etc. But remember there are only three Ridings.

Finally: Yorkshire’s population is eight times that of Luxembourg and two thirds that of Catalonia.

From: Kenneth Clark, Harrogate.

BEFORE retiring to North Yorkshire in 1998, I had been closely involved in the introduction of unitary local government throughout Scotland in 1996.

The question of how best to introduce unitary local government in North Yorkshire is difficult to answer and I do not envy those charged with finding the best solution to the problem.

Might I dare to suggest that the establishment of three unitary councils might be one possibility, as follows:

The City of York Council, East Riding Council and Selby District Council.

The Eastern part of the remainder of North Yorkshire with HQ at Northallerton.

The Western part of the remainder of North Yorkshire with HQ at Harrogate.

From: Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

I HAVE been listening to the Commons statements, and interviews, by Grant Shapps with interest. As Transport Secretary, he’s certainly an improvement on Chris Grayling – who wouldn’t be? – but when is he going to be able to find the time to focus on his dual role as Northern Powerhouse Minister?

Or has Boris Johnson simply lost any interest that he might have had in the project’s policy agenda?

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Thank you

James Mitchinson