West Yorkshire’s mayor must not be a failed local politician

From: Bob Watson, Baildon.
A devolution deal for West Yorkshire was announced in the Budget.A devolution deal for West Yorkshire was announced in the Budget.
A devolution deal for West Yorkshire was announced in the Budget.
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Devolution: Time for Harrogate to declare independence from North Yorkshire

MY own view has always been that a One Yorkshire devolution deal was the best way forward for our wonderful county.

However, now that a West Yorkshire deal has instead been foisted upon us (The Yorkshire Post, March 13), we will have to make the best of it and get from it all that we can. When the new authority is set up, it is surely vital that we elect a strong, respected and high profile member of the business community as Mayor of West Yorkshire.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed a devolution deal for West Yorkshire in the Budget.Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed a devolution deal for West Yorkshire in the Budget.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed a devolution deal for West Yorkshire in the Budget.
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The last thing we need is for it to be headed by one of the current (failed in the view of many) local politicians who, frankly, would not be deserving of such an important post.

From: Henry Cobden, Ilkley.

GIVEN the entrepreneur Ajaz Ahmed’s critique of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s ambivalence over the crisis on the railways, and reluctance to intervene over TransPennine Express, and its lamentable record, let’s hope a mayor emerges who can get a grip of this organisation.

Like Transport for the North, all it does is appoint more people – at public expense – who appear to do next to little.

This culture of complacency needs shaking up, and sooner rather than later.