Yorkshire's future comes under microscope at forum

On July 31, significantly on the eve of Yorkshire Day, an event is to take place: A Forum on the Future Governance of Yorkshire - the Big Conversation Part Two will be held at the Yorkshire Museum, in the Museum Gardens in York from 6pm-8pm. Significantly York was the ancient capital of the Anglo-Viking Kingdom of Jorvik and for around 1000 years it served as Britain’s second city.

Five keynote speakers have been invited, each offering different insight into various aspects of Regional Devolution. They include:

*Dr Tiffany Holloman, University of Leeds, on The importance of Regional Devolution.

*Sir Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley MBC and chairman of Yorkshire Leaders Board, on 'Where we are in Yorkshire and what we might expect from a Labour government.'

*Ben Crick, leading Yorkshire composer and conductor, director of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra on 'The importance of Devolved Powers for the Arts in Yorkshire.'

*Rachael Bice CEO of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and member of the Yorkshire Climate Commission on 'The importance of devolved powers for the environment and combating climate change in Yorkshire.'

*Dr Stewart Arnold, University of Hull, on 'The importance of size and identity when it comes to devolution in Yorkshire.'

Lord Timothy Kirkhope, former MEP for North Yorkshire will be in the chair.

After the presentations, audience members will be invited to ask questions or comment. It is intended that both presentations and comments will be recorded and a report produced by the University of Hull. This will be widely circulated to government, local MPs and other agencies in the region as well as to press and media outlets. This could therefore be a unique opportunity to help shape and influence the future of Yorkshire.

The forum will be held at Yorkshire Museum in York

The event is free, but attendees are asked to register. For full details visit theyorkshiresociety/events.

Chief executive of the Yorkshire Society, Philip Bell comments:

“The dust has now settled on the general election and the latest part of our Big Yorkshire Conversation project is ready to happen.

“In April 2021, The Yorkshire Society launched its Big Yorkshire Conversation in what we hoped would be the start of a wide-ranging discussion about the future of the region.

“Phase 1 featured a survey, the biggest of its kind, asking the people of Yorkshire to pause and think about Yorkshire’s image, identity and sense of Yorkshireness. Carried out with academics at the University of Hull, the survey was a huge success with nearly 5000 respondents and some clear pointers as to how people think about Yorkshire’s brand, identity, place and future governance.

“Now, in the wake of the general election and with the hugely impactful 50th anniversary of the 1974 Local Government Act as a backdrop, The Big Yorkshire Conversation Phase 2 will build on the survey with a public forum and open discussion on the future governance of Yorkshire. Whilst the Yorkshire Society has welcomed the government’s commitment to English devolution, there are many questions to be answered.

“We want to give the Yorkshire public an opportunity to know what all the options are for the future success of the region so they can make informed decisions about them.”

Philip adds: “The event will be the perfect prelude to the society’s official Yorkshire Day Civic Celebration being hosted by City of York Council on August 1, and is intended to influence and provide insight for all political parties and especially the new government following the recent general election.

“A panel of both cross-party and non-political experts will each talk on how they see the future governance of Yorkshire. The public audience will have an opportunity to have their voices heard, ask questions and discuss all the options presented.”

“The Yorkshire Society, again with corporate partner the University of Hull, hopes that by bringing all the options together for public scrutiny and debate, this can be a landmark event on the future governance of Yorkshire that allows a consensus to form which then influences political decisions in the years to come.”

Former Labour leader, Lord Kinnock, who was invited to attend but unfortunately could not, adds:

“I congratulate you on your initiative which, instead of conceding to the conventions or to nostalgia, seeks candid self assessment and perceptions of the future. I hope that there will be much more of this in the English regions - and Wales and Scotland - so that pride, which can be idle and introverted, gives way to potential…in any progress with meaningful devolution."