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Yorkshire truly is God's own county and should be honoured with a parliament, based in Rotherham, the heart of Yorkshire industry.
Matthew Wade, Yorkshire

A number of correspondents writing to you on the subject of an independent Yorkshire refer to "the south" and the perceived economic injustices that Yorkshire suffers in comparison to this fabled region. In the opinion of the devolutionists, where does the south begin?
Sophie King, UK

This is the sort of daft story that gives Yorkshire people a bad name. Yes, we are proud of where we live and of our heritage, but then I'm sure that people in Wiltshire, Kent or any other county are equally proud. What could a Yorkshire parliament possibly achieve, other than to isolate the county from the rest of the country? This is the sort of guff coming from those who call Geoff Boycott "Sir" .
Tim, Yorkshire

But of course Yorkshire should govern itself! God knows Yorkshire people are mature enough, and a lot more sensible than all those soft Southerners. While they're at it, self-government should be given to the County Palatine of Lancashire.
Tom Donnellan, Australia

Spurred on by the worthy struggle of the noble Yorkshiremen, my neighbours and I have today declared our street "The Peoples' Democratic Republic of Sussex Street". In fact, the old lady at number 93 tells me that she has taken our lead and proclaimed independence for her flat from the uncaring oppressive fascist tyranny of the block she lives in (on the grounds that she is the only person who really knows what it like to live on the first floor).
On a worrying note, though, I hear war is about to break out between us and "The Democratic Republic of the Odd-Numbered Houses Of Dover Street" because we can't agree the border at the corner of our street.
Matt, England

Nationalism is a psychological illness - a frantic desire to claim self-value for people who have some sense of personal failure. If we want to see where it leads, look at Bosnia, Armenia/Azerbajan, Ireland or even Borneo.
Paul Halsall, Brit in USA

Although the suggestion that Yorkshire should have its own parliament is greeted with great mirth I think that there is a serious underlying issue that has to be addressed. I think English people are gradually realising that it is time that we started to see ourselves in the light of an independent nation again. I for one always thought of myself as British first but have been rudely awakened by the utter hatred that is being directed against the English by the Scots. Their influence at Westminster in comparison to their contribution has got to be addressed.
After the devolution vote we should start a serious debate on the merits of an English parliament in its own right and stop the rights of Scottish politicians to have any influence on English affairs.
John, England

Yes, along with Scotland, Wales and the rest that want it, but let them support themselves and then maybe my tax bill wouldn't be huge.
Shaun Taylor, UK

I do not think that any one English county should have its own parliament in the full meaning of the term. Either, Britain as a whole transfers power to county or regional bodies, or it remains centralised. But there should not be a parliament for Yorkshire and none for Cheshire etc. A federal structure seems to be more effective than a central one, but the level of counties appears to be too small a unit. There should be a wider solution for this question within the UK.
Patrick Roger, Scotland

The demand for home rule in Yorkshire has been brought about by the policies of the Government (mainly Conservative) in allowing such gross inequalities between the South East and many other parts of the UK to persist for so long. For example unemployment is 3 times higher in South Yorks than in the South East, and average income per head less than half. These disparities have persisted for decades.
M Savill, England

The UK is the only country in Europe without proper regional government. Just as Wales will be better served by decisions on its future being made in Wales, then so Yorkshire would be better served by an elected body to decide on issues relating to Yorkshire. It is sad to see fellow Welshmen's comments opposing the same democracy that we are on the first step to enjoying here. Hurt pride? We should be proud that other parts of the UK want to follow our example!
David Heald, Wales

First reaction is akin to that of Steve Warrington - if that's what the bolshy lot want, cut 'em loose and let 'em float way out to sea. However, the whole idea is ludicrous. Already local councils throughout the UK are expensive, over bureaucratic, mini empire building power kernels who actually still do little in the interest of their people. In a world of ever increasing problems, the focus should be on greater unity not this petty meddling in local politics.
Bill Haynes, UK

Have the people of Yorkshire stopped to think of the real consequences of having their own parliament? It will only result in them having the highest tax rate in the country and the result will be a mass exodus to other parts where sanity prevails. Incidentally, who would they choose for prime minister - Ken Barlow?
Neil Ashurst, UK, living in Ghana

Considering the sheer size of Yorkshire (larger than Wales) it has a right to it's own voice, most notably for how it is mistreated in comparison to many southern counties, in terms of opportunity and wealth, which are undoubtedly linked. The tide, however, seems to be turning and this can be seen in areas such as Leeds where wide development has occurred. Good luck to them!
Mike McVeigh, UK

The whole idea of democracy is that people decide a course of action, or a future for themselves. As a Leeds resident for all of my life, and having attended university in Edinburgh during the height of the devolution debate, I know what a liberating feeling it is to be given the opportunity to take charge of your own destiny, and to participate in real democracy.
Damn right there should be a debate as to whether Yorkshire should have a parliament of its own. Furthermore, with Leeds becoming the 2nd biggest financial centre outside of London, N Yorks occupying a lion's share of the revenues from tourism, the opportunity for Yorkshire to become the economic equivalent of Switzerland makes the case for self-government even more pressing.
Tamer Ghoneim, UK

If they want one and are prepared to pay higher taxes for extra civil servants and bureaucracy so be it!
Just as long as British citizens outside of Yorkshire do not have to pay for it.
I wonder how other countries with larger populations and larger territories manage to govern with just one parliament?
A lot more easily I expect! The UK must be heaven on earth for red tape, quangos, bureaucrats and power-mad local politicians.
Roy Matthews, England

How about Merseyside going for it too? After all, the Beatles, football - they have an identity. Or anywhere else for that matter? Yorkshire has nothing to sustain it in terms of independence. Wales and Scotland have greater resources and real historical reasons and motivations. Historical in terms of language, politics, religion and heritage that no single area of England can compare to, in fact England as a nation. I suspect the good people of Yorkshire painted the towns red celebrating the Irish patron saints' day yesterday.
Jeff, UK

I'm not sure whether this "rush" to devolution is a clever ploy by Europhiles to link British regions to the EU instead of the UK government, and thus irretrievably tie the UK to Europe, or just crass stupidity by headline-seeking and archaic "nationalist" extremists. Either way, it is very destructive. I cannot say I really understand it at all: I am, firstly, British; then English; then a man of Kent. To advocate changing that order, in so small an island, seems to be devolution of the mind and parochial political gerrymandering.
Mark M Newdick, USA

This would be yet another step to breaking up the United Kingdom and dissolving our national identity. A unified Britain has been a source of stability and prosperity for hundreds of years. Our parliament serves us well, with every region represented well. Devolution leads to extra bureaucracy and inward looking attitudes. I come from Yorkshire and I know how inward looking many areas are. The Westminster model has served us well - why fix what isn't broken. Meddling with our constitution will have potentially disastrous consequences. A United Kingdom is a strong kingdom.
Nick Young, UK

I see no compelling reason for one county over all of the others being accorded such a special status. Who do they think they are?
Brian Webb, England

As a Yorkshireman I feel very strongly that we should have our own parliament as Westminster is out of touch with Yorkshire values.
Malcolm Wood, United Kingdom

This is the most ludicrous thing that I have ever heard. Comparing Yorkshire's claim to a parliament with Scotland's is nothing more than insulting. Is Yorkshire a separate country with its own legal and education systems, its own church, its own football association and national team at any world cups? There are areas within Scotland that are very distinct, eg the Highlands compared to the central belt, the east coast compared to the west coast.
Just because you enjoy sheep and play cricket doesn't make you a nation.
Cameron, Scotland

The possibility of a semi-independent Yorkshire 'state' sounds like a dream come true for campaigners in favour of a federal Europe. As the old edict says, "Divide and conquer".
Al, UK

The counties of Yorkshire combined are larger than some European countries. As a Yorkshireman I feel that Yorkshire should have a measure of self-rule, especially with regard to raising foreign investment and taxes and controlling immigration. But maybe the rest of the union should have their own assemblies. Such as Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex) and Home Counties and East Midlands etc. All autonomous bodies but all finally accountable to London for setting base rates of tax and legislation. We could use the US model of government as a template.
Mark Lisle, Belgium

Blair should have asked all of the British people if they wanted a federal system. As a Lancastrian I would like to see regional parliaments in England. This makes sense and brings power closer to the people. It has to be the way forward. It works well in Australia and in other countries too. The current set up is too centralised and distant. Home rule for Lancashire too.
Dave Richards, Australia (UK citizen studying in Melbourne)

As a Welshman and a supporter of devolution, I believe that the best way to strengthen the United Kingdom would be to make all of the four nations equal to each other. I am sick of hearing about how Scotland has more power than Wales, and that England and Wales can be referred to as a single administrative unit. Wales and Northern Ireland need to be treated as equally as Scotland. Therefore we also need to create an English parliament and English nationalism, rather than regional nationalism.
Yorkshire is not the only part of England that has a separate identity. Cornwall and the Cornish people still maintain a strong identity. They even have a language there. How England wants to govern itself is up to the English people. The fear of devolution is that it would result in the break up of the United Kingdom. Devolution to Yorkshire, Cumbria, or Cornwall would mean the break up of England. I am all for a federal Britain, rather than a federal Europe.
David Howells, Wales

Devolution for Yorkshire has nothing to do with independence. The UK ought to adopt a federal constitution along the lines of Australia's or Canada's. Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions all ought to have local parliaments to deal with local issues, while the UK parliament deals with things like foreign affairs and defence.
Paul, UK

I think devolution is an excellent idea and that all regions should have a degree of home rule, especially Yorkshire since we are so distinctive and special. We have special needs such as lower interest rates compared to the South, we are also predominantly more left wing and need representation. Yorkshire has a distinct dialect and a beautiful capital, York and is probably, bar Cornwall, the most likely region in England to desire independence.
Tim Keen, UK

Yorkshire has all the basic resources needed for self subsistence and due to its size would make an ideal case for its own council looking after the sole interests of Yorkshire, rather than being under the current southern rule which has lead to the decline of many of the Yorkshire areas - especially those which were crippled during the destruction of the mining industry.
Nick New, UK

I was born and grew up in Yorkshire, and I think that the idea of an independent Yorkshire is the daftest thing I've ever come across. All it will mean is yet another tiny area of the world will be fighting for scraps of an increasingly small pie ie the world economy which will continue to be dominated by the large blocs such as the EU and Nafta. In such a scenario, the large (and strong) will take everything. The only way for Yorkshire and every other region in the UK to survive is to be a part of a larger, stronger group. I don't think that the Yorkshire nationalists speak for the majority of Yorkshire people.
Patricia Evans, Canada

If local government was more effective and more people actually went out to vote we wouldn't need to have separate parliaments for local decisions.
How many people actually bother voting in elections these days? Look at the percentage of people that voted for a parliament in Wales (less than 50% of the population turned out)!
Having more politicians doesn't mean better decisions, just more people to argue about them (and line their own pockets!).
The North hasn't realised that the UK economy will never go back to manufacturing, not because of the Conservative government, but because the Far East and other places did it so much cheaper in the 80s. The South is richer simply because we have a small proportion of manufacturing industries.
What's important is to re-vitalise the country by promoting the creation of future industries like software, IT, telecoms and the Internet.
Education and training is the only thing that will work. Spend the money on this instead of a parliament!
James Fox, UK

Very soon, the UK will have about 20 or 30 individual parliaments. With the rest of European countries frantically trying to merge into a single entity , why is the UK going the other way?
Kian, London, UK

I'm an ex-pat living in London and I think this is a great idea, as long as we can have our own passports.
David Colton, UK

Gotta be done then they can be the theme park for Hovis.
Simon Easter , UK

'On Ilkla Moor Baht' as a national anthem? Hats-off to them!
Rob Spriggs, UK

Can we join them, there is far too much focus by politicians and investment on the south and London, this could put the north on the map and give us a bigger say on what happens here.
Mark Addison, UK

What are we coming to when every where wants its own rule? Do you think the UK would be where it was if it were not for our single rules & legislation ??? I mean what's next? This can only lead to trouble if everyone has their own rule anarchy will follow soon!
Liam Spence, UK

Yes, if that's what the people want. Isn't that the point of democracy? In fact, every English county should have it's own Parliament (including London). If Jersey can manage with 85,000 people. why not?
Dom, Jersey

I think it's a great idea and the sooner the better. In the same way that the people of Scotland have had decisions forced upon them by those who have no real interest in the area.
Andy Fea, UK

What a wonderful idea! At last Barnsley may become the centre of the Universe instead of being the subject of ridicule! I am all for it, where do I send my donation?
Phil Wilkinson, Malaysia

Can you organise a big long earthquake along the border with Lancashire - and then they can all sail off into oblivion into the North Sea.
Steve Warrington, USA

Why not a federal Britain would fit better into a federal Europe.
Marcus Derham, Germany

Geoff Boycott for president, I say! So does this mean I will need a Surrey passport to get back home?
Nick Elvin, Argentina

Yorkshire is a great place - it deserves a parliament.
Chris Calvert, UK

I'm British and have never considered myself to be English. But my country is dying. Blair's devolution was the first step to independence for Scotland and Wales. It was only Labour's self-delusion that made them think anything else. With Britain dying I have to become English, not a prospect that fills me with joy. Shattering the union was bad enough but at least give us Southern British a chance to belong to England before that's mucked up too. Of course the whole point is to get us so off-balance that we'll let them make us European without a fight.
Neil Pithouse, UK

I think it's going too far. Maybe every county in England should declare independence! Countries such as America are huge and yet they still manage some form of unity. What will the fate of England itself be if everyone decides to go off in there own direction. Keep Britain whole!
James, England

Devolution for the English regions is an excellent idea. Personally I favour bringing back the Kingdom of Mercia. Once that's done we can devolve Mercia into consitituent districts. Then the districts can be devolved again. Finally I will run for president of our back garden, with my wife being president of our driveway.
Andrew Oakley, UK

If Yorkshire get a Parliament, it would be a great insult to Wales, Scotland and Ireland who have fought hard to get any separate recognition, who have a legitimate right to have control of their own money and country.
Owain, Wales

Never mind Yorkshire, why shouldn't England have home rule if Scotland and Wales do?
Mike Wakefield, Canada

Yes, I think that Yorkshire and the rest of the English regions should have their own regional assemblies and take a full role in a federal United Kingdom.
Paul Bargery, United Kingdom

I am a Yorkshireman, and I think this is most ridiculous thing I have heard in a while. Yorkshire is indeed very distinctive, but it is also very much part of England. Any attempt at devolution would be a considerable waste of time and resources.
Colin Jagger, UK

As a Britain from the south of England who currently resides abroad, all I can say is what utter nonsense. They should divert their energy to finding gainful employment for the residents.
Gabbie, USA

Errr, no. There is one difference between Yorkshire and Wales and Scotland. Wales and Scotland were once independent countries and remain countries today. Yorkshire has never been and will never be a country. How can you devolve a county? Anyway, isn't a council a county's parliament?
Nathan Hamer, Wales

As a Yorkshireman abroad I find the idea amusing rather than anything to be seriously contended. Where does devolution end? It reminds me of a beer advert I saw in Leeds almost 5 years ago proudly claiming it's brew was from "The Peoples Republic of Yorkshire". It's not even April 1st yet.
Robert Longbottom, Singapore

I agree with home rule for Yorkshire it would allow the natural talents of the Yorkshire people to grow unstifled by the bureaucratic shackles of Westminster. Yorkshire never has nor never will be served best by Government from London or the EEC. We need independence now.
Martin Stephenson, USA

I am worried that the strive for independence could spark off conflict in the disputed 'Barnoldswick' region of the area, the subject of a bloody border dispute between Lancashire and Yorkshire people. The 'ethnic Tykes' in the area (ELLA - east lancs liberation army) may see the push for independence of Yorkshire as an excuse for sparking off further conflict with the Lancastrian population, who were encouraged to flood the area after the occupation began.
Bill - ELLA, UK

Home rule for Yorkshire - what a brilliant idea. At a stroke it will create new jobs where there hadn't been any before. And if we extend this idea to include other "countries" (Herefordshire immediately springs to mind) this will totally end all unemployment. Each of these new countries would have to start their own armed services. The RAF and Navy don't have enough to go around, so the arms industry will have a lot of new orders. Of course, each 'country' would eventually need their own arms industry creating some of these new jobs and then they could compete on the international arms market. We could see Rutland become the new powerhouse on the world stage. Internal states would need gunboats to sail up and down the rivers to ensure that smuggling did not take over the local economy.
Tony Ambler, USA

Yorkshire has carried the rest of the UK, with it's prospering tourism, it's buoyant financial and telecommunications trade, and retail industry, (I could go on) for far too long. In my opinion, Yorkshire should have be it's own separate country with it's own elected parliament, and indeed, its own currency. There is a bigger case for Yorkshire to stand alone than there is for Scotland or Wales. The Yorkshire economy is stronger, it's workforce better educated, and it's transport facilities far superior. Yorkshire is in a far better position to deal with the other big nations like America and Japan than Scotland or Wales, or the rest of England, ever will be. Crime in Yorkshire will also be reduced by strict border controls, restricting access to the criminal element that generally stems from Manchester, London, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Nick Evans, UK

Yorkshire needs a parliament for practical and historic reasons. Practical because it has to compete with soon-to-be autonomous areas like Scotland, Wales and London (all the candidates for Mayor of London have pledged to increase London's share of public money at the expense of other parts of the country), historic because of its rich heritage and strong regional identity.
Brendan Barrett, UK

Go for it, Yorkshire! as a Londoner in living Hull I often feel like a foreigner, and can also quite understand the resentment of self-obsessed and wealthy southerners sometimes expressed here. Why not have a Yorkshire parliament? this proto-country has it's own paper, bank, tv and radio, even language to some extent. so if England as well as Britain is to be decentralised, why not start with this beautifully bolshy patch of land and people?
Zoe Young, UK

Home rule for Yorkshire is something long overdue, and fundamental to bridging the differences between a government devoid of practical information and an authentic race of people with their own strong traditions, cultures and reasoning. In that regard, there is absolutely no difference between the situation of Yorkshire, and those of Scotland and Wales. I live in Catalonia, Spain, where the autonomous government is, in my mind, a revelation. In the days of transparent and accountable government, would it not be hypocritical to deem that the people of Yorkshire do not know what is best for them.
Tony Pearson, Spain

I was born in North Yorkshire nearly 40 years ago. Although I, too, feel a sense of loyalty I do not feel it is a sound decision to create a separate parliament.
Maureen Penrose-Weiher, USA

I'm originally from West Yorkshire and believe the devolution of Yorkshire to be a good idea. It will give the country a stronger cultural identity in the face of a united Europe. Let's be proud of our age-old cultures and nurture them. I hope other counties follow suit.
Steven Gilligan, UK

MMMMMM.....sounds like typical Yorkshire folk, I suppose Geoffrey Boycott will be "President"!!
Paul White, Hong Kong

I think it's a good idea. It means that we can build a wall around Yorkshire and charge them for letting them out into the rest of the country. Just think how much money would be made by Lancashire County Council from all these Yorkshiremen wanting to go to Blackpool!!
Aaron Aardvark, Not Yorkshire

Absolutely, it would counterbalance nationalist tendencies in existing devolved regions. I do believe that any devolution can only work with a federal constitution.
R. J. Tunney, UK

As I was born in Yorkshire I think it is an excellent idea. We need to advance the need for a regional government as soon as possible.
Thelma Matuk, Germany

Why? Scotland and Wales are, in my eyes, separate countries within the UNITED kingdom. Perhaps I'm being naive, but to the best of my knowledge Yorkshire, though individual in its own right, has no history of being an independent country. For them to achieve independence would be like me creating a country in my back garden. - Perhaps I could set up a Gnome parliament....
Chris Hiles, UK

I thought we were living in the "United Kingdom". At a time when Europe is lifting its barriers, the UK(!) are trying to create more. Eventually leading to alienation.
Ellen Wild, UK

YES YES YES! Give Yorkshire independence! (and give me the 25K a year job to promote the idea too!)
Matt Holt, UK

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