THE differing views on devolution between central Government, local authorities and voters were highlighted in The Press (February 25).

This was raised when Andrew Percy MP, Northern Powerhouse Minister, spoke to business leaders about what form a regional organisation might take in Yorkshire.

In 2003, both MORI and BBC polls found that approximately 72 per cent of people in the Midlands and North of England were in favour of some form of regional government.

Yet when this was put to the vote in the north east in late 2004, 73 per cent of voters voted against any form of regional government, subsequently causing the Labour Government to cancel referenda in other regions.

Andrew Percy heard from business leaders of their frustration that Yorkshire is no further forward and that the responsibility lay with political representatives to decide what form devolution should take.

There was no mention of asking voters what they might want or the possibility that the public, when asked, might not want another layer of political bureaucracy.

Emphasis is placed on the possibility of gaining additional funding and powers but, thus far, local government seem unable to exercise powers they already have very effectively.

As local politicians will form the core of any new regional administration, this does not bode well for the outcome, whatever form it takes.

R Suttill, Holgate, York