Leeds council leader's response to Lord O'Neill devolution comments

Response from Leeds City Council leader to comments by Lord O'Neill on One Yorkshire devolution bid:

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“One Yorkshire isn’t just a bold ambition – things have moved on considerably since we pledged to unleash our enormous potential, using our unique local knowledge and partnerships, for our own people. We have made a submission to government and started negotiations with them based on the significant benefits for the economy of the whole of Yorkshire. Indeed our proposal makes it clear how devolution could double the size of Yorkshire’s economy over the next 30 years.

“I appreciate Lord O’Neill has many ties to Manchester and the North West, but it’s important to understand how this differs from the position here in Yorkshire. While we have many different and distinctive people and places, what we have most strongly in common is a passion and commitment to enable Yorkshire to be the best it can be. Putting our differences aside in Yorkshire’s best interests is the hallmark of events such as the Tour de France Grand Départ, which has firmly established us on the world competitive cycling map.

“Consider what else we could do with the power to drive the boundless scope of an internationally-recognised area with 5 million population and an economy worth £112 billion. One Yorkshire is a powerful bringing together of that Yorkshire spirit, spark and steely determination to succeed on behalf of everyone who lives, works and visits here.”

ends