Party divide set aside as politicians lobby for Yorkshire

MPs and Peers are forming an all-party group to lobby on behalf of the region and discuss some of the key issues facing Yorkshire and the Humber.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, who will co-chair the group, said: “It’s high time we had a group that works across the parties on the big issues – the future of Yorkshire and the Humber, the economy, unemployment.

“We have real challenge in terms of offshore wind power and what would happen if Scotland became independent – what’s the knock on for Yorkshire and the other northern regions?

“There’s a whole range of things which working together over time can make us much more effective in Yorkshire and the Humber region.”

Tory MPs have already been working together closely since the 2010 election, but the new group will involve MPs and Peers from all three parties.

There have been concerns about a lack of voice to campaign on region-wide issues after the abolition of the role of Yorkshire and Humber Minister and development agency Yorkshire Forward.

The all-party parliamentary group will formally launch in March, will also be co-chaired by Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy.

He said: “It’s just to make sure we have a bigger regional voice in parliament and a united political voice.

“Of course we’ll have different views from times to time but if you look at the Scottish lobby, London MPs, they seem to have themselves very well organised into particular lobbies and we often don’t.

“So the real aim is to be a bigger voice for Yorkshire but also to pursue certain strands like renewables – which is really important along the Humber but also benefits the whole region – transport and that kind of thing.”