Mayors could be introduced in four of the region’s cities

The referenda will now go ahead in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and Sheffield on the same day as local elections despite many local politicians being opposed to the idea.

If there is a “yes” vote, the first mayors are likely to be elected either next November – on the same day as elections for the first Police and Crime Commissioners – or the following May.

Local Government Minister Greg Clark told the Yorkshire Post that he was not taking up advice from former Labour Minister Lord Adonis to hold a referendum in Leeds next year – along with Birmingham and Bristol – but delay the others for 12 months in a bid to build up support for the idea.

“We intend to have the referenda in all cities in May next year,” he said.

“It was always our proposal to have the referenda in May, Lord Adonis gave his personal view, but actually we think we should be clear that we should get on with it.”

The Tories promised referenda in the 12 biggest English cities in their election manifesto, although many Liberal Democrats are sceptical about the idea.

Powers to hold the referenda are included in the Localism Act, which became law on Tuesday.

If people vote in favour, the Elected Mayor would have the same powers as a council’s executive, although Ministers have launched a consultation to decide whether extra powers should be offered to give the post more clout. Ministers have yet to decide the exact question to appear on the referenda, but Mr Clark said local politicians would be free to campaign as they see fit – even if that means Tory councillors fighting for a “no” vote.

“The idea anyone would want to gag anyone, impose a party line, when we’ve encouraged a local debate about this is completely contrary to the way we’re approaching this,” he said.

Mr Clark also played down the prospect of allowing an Elected Mayor to govern over an entire city region – an idea which former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine suggested recently in a report into reviving the Merseyside economy .

Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts, chairman of the Local Government select committee, said he was opposed to the idea of Elected Mayors because it reduces the influence of local councillors and risks undermining democracy.