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Reflections on West Yorkshire devolution

Rishi Sunak, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer and Yorkshire-based MP confirmed in this month's budget that HM Treasury has agreed a West Yorkshire devolution deal.

It is the first devolution deal of Boris Johnson’s administration and the first since North of Tyne was agreed in November 2018 by former Chancellor Philip Hammond.  

The Prime Minister has repeatedly promised to deliver 'a devolution revolution' and ‘do devolution properly’ since the General Election in December, so news of a new devolution deal will be both welcomed and carefully analysed.     

The deal will see powers and funding devolved to an elected mayor who will have responsibilities across Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York. 

At the moment we don't know the extent of the deal. We understand all local political environments are complex but it is not controversial to say that elected mayors are more effective when more powers are devolved.  A mayor is therefore likely to have the greatest ability to move West Yorkshire forward with a united position on key social, economic and transport strategies. This provides a real opportunity for significant investment in local priorities.

Since the election, the Government has committed to providing more powers to devolved authorities and ‘levelling-up’ those with existing deals. In theory, this should see any future deals set against a minimum benchmark of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, with potential add-ons. This could result in a West Yorkshire development plan and devolved local transport.  

From an operational perspective, the deal could have implications for specific areas: 

  • Will West Yorkshire's deal have an impact on the Sheffield City Region deal? 
  • Barnsley is currently included in the Sheffield City Region and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. What does it mean for them? 
  • Will political instability, in places such as York, curtail the plans?

Time and detail will tell how each region will fare in the deal.

Potential mayoral candidates

Based on other elected mayors, it is likely that a high-profile candidate will be elected. Whilst strong individuals have provided some surprising electoral results (including Andy Street in the West Midlands, Boris Johnson in London and Ben Houchen in Teeside) a West Yorkshire mayoral election likely returns a Labour Mayor. We’ve put together an initial list of candidates who might consider putting themselves forward for the role:  

Tracey Brabin

Elected as MP for Batley & Spen in 2016 following the death of MP Jo Cox. She was appointed as shadow Culture Secretary in January 2020.  Recently she has spoken about the new West Yorkshire Mayor. In an article published in the Yorkshire Post (17 March 2020) she commented that in her opinion ‘the new Mayor should treat culture and sport as an integral part of their mission for our region’.

Ed Balls

Retired from politics in 2015 when he lost his seat as MP for Morley and Outwood 2015 and former Shadow Chancellor. 

Judith Blake

The leader of Leeds City Council has been a key figure in supporting the West Yorkshire Mayor role. "This is a package of measures to make a real difference for people living in our region."

Richard Burgon

Labour Party politician serving as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in the Shadow Cabinet of Jeremy Corbyn since 2016, and has served as Member of Parliament for Leeds East since 2015.

Yvette Cooper

Member of Parliament for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford since 2010, having served as the MP for Pontefract and Castleford since 1997.

Mary Creagh

MP for Wakefield from 2005 until 2019. She is now advisor on matters relating to climate, sustainable development and green finance.

Susan Hinchcliffe

Leader of Bradford Council and the Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Dan Jarvis 

Mayor of the Sheffield City Region in 2018.  Previously MP for Barnsley Central between 1997 and 2011, he served in the Parachute Regiment, before being elected as the Member of Parliament.  

Liz McInnes

MP for Heywood and Middleton in Greater Manchester between 2014 and 2019.

Laura Pidcock

MP for North West Durham from 2017 until 2019 and Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights.

We await further detail on the devolution deal over the coming months when Government has capacity to return to it.

26 March 2020

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