Yorkshire’s mayors should be business leaders, not politicians – Yorkshire Post Letters

i HAVE read your recent articles on the election for a West Yorkshire mayor with some trepidation as, once again, 
politics would seem to take preference over what is best for the county.

If the county is to move forward in all aspects beneficial to the community, then the right person has to be in the right position.

Party politics should have no influence on the post of Mayor – what should be of priority is the prospective candidate’s determination to give the area what it needs.

A truly independent Yorkshireman with a belief and that determination, not necessarily having political expertise, but the acumen and ability to succeed in bringing prosperity to Yorkshire, should be the ideal prospect.

Being independent, they would need the support of Yorkshire folk who believe in Yorkshire and not party politics.

The problem I foresee is will there be any people willing to put their name forward for such a position?

They will not be professional politicians which the major parties will opt for as candidates but will the folk of West Yorkshire see that as an advantage or disadvantage?

Personally I would prefer a truly independent Tyke with the necessary skills to a professional politician because, basically, I feel I could trust them more.

In the meantime we have to rely on our local councils and quangos such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Does anyone else feel the same about this situation?

From: David Lloyd-Williams, Hon. County Alderman, Norton, Malton.

IT is interesting how the Government has suddenly renewed the need to ‘streamline’ local government, including here in North Yorkshire (The Yorkshire Post, August 1).

First though I must ask if it because we need, or are being told, that we will have to have a ‘mayor’.

A ‘mayoralty’ like London, and in some major urbanised areas, appears to me to be a replacement tier of 
‘governance’ – or more to the point ‘power’ situated far away from local people and their local needs.

However, if the Government persists and we are forced to lose the districts in North Yorkshire, then forming a complete North Yorkshire unitary council is not the best solution as the needs and requirements of residents differ across the whole area. Interesting times ahead!

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James Mitchinson

Editor