The Yorkshire Post says: A true pioneer for devolution. Heseltine is champion of North

Michael Heseltine is a former Deputy Prime Minister.

IF MICHAEL Heseltine was still in the Cabinet, Yorkshire would probably have devolution by now. Why? He would not have allowed narrow-minded council leaders or Ministers to put self-interest before the greater good.

This much was self-evident when Lord Heseltine addressed a major conference in Leeds on the Northern Powerhouse as council leaders from the region travelled to London to meet Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and make the case for One Yorkshire.

Time will tell if this region’s leaders have done enough to win the confidence of Mr Javid, who has been circumspect throughout this process, but he – and others – would be well advised to heed Lord Heseltine’s rallying call.

Bemoaning the slow progress on this side of the Pennines compared to the North-West,