GEORGE Galloway today throws his weight behind calls for a directly-elected mayor for all of West Yorkshire – but backs a Labour MP to take the prize.

The Respect MP for Bradford West said he believed only the ‘London-style’ leader across the district could deliver the political dynamism to drive through real change.

And he argued the switch was essential after Greater Manchester said it would adopt a so-called ‘metro mayor’, in a devolution deal with George Osborne.

Mr Galloway becomes the second city MP to make the call, after Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe – who he then backed to take up the powerful role.

He said: “I acknowledge I’m following Gerry’s proposal and – not only that – I’m supporting him to be the West Yorkshire mayor. He would be an excellent candidate.

“Gerry knows the corridors of power in Whitehall and Westminster. He is a highly-experienced political operator who doesn’t have many enemies - he’s ideal for the job.”

Asked if he would run, Mr Galloway replied: “Gerry would be better. He would win support from people who support me and from voters I can’t reach.”

At the weekend, the Telegraph & Argus revealed that Mr Sutcliffe was keen to run for metro mayor, but the former Labour minister was unavailable to comment on the Respect MP’s backing yesterday.

The mayor would rule the five West Yorkshire districts – Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield – in the same way as Boris Johnson runs London’s 32 boroughs.

The carrot is the swathe of extra powers on offer - over transport spending, bus services, health, housing, business support and the police, according to the Greater Manchester deal.

He or she would answer to the new West Yorkshire Combined Authority, consisting of the leaders of the five councils and set up to push for a lesser devolution package.

But – controversially – the Government has said the mayor will be imposed without a referendum, arguing it was the only way to deliver the “accountability” required for extra powers.

Mr Galloway said: “We needed a directly elected mayor in Bradford and an elected mayor for West Yorkshire is an even better idea.

“If Manchester is to have this – as Osborne has dictated – then we need it too, to assemble a critical mass of local government power.

“As the two mayors of London – Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson - have proved, you get more for your money when the buck stops with one person.

“Business is not blocked in committees, with horse-trading behind closed doors in formerly smoke-filled rooms.”

Mr Galloway once hinted at running for London mayor himself, but has now confirmed he will stand again for Respect in Bradford West next May.

* Meanwhile, the MP has also tabled a parliamentary motion calling for a “24-hour gateway to the city centre, to join a district divided into two halves with different rail stations”.

He points out that Westfield, which is constructing a shopping centre between the Interchange and Forster Square stations, had part-funded new stations in London close to its major stores.

“It would be in Westfield’s interests for this rail connection to be built because it would increase the number of shoppers. It would benefit hugely," said Mr Galloway.