A CAMPAIGN calling for more powers to be devolved to the region is to begin on Yorkshire Day tomorrow.

New political party Yorkshire First and pressure group The Yorkshire Devolution Movement are teaming up for the initiative, called 'The pledge for Yorkshire'.

But there was a mixed reaction to the move among Bradford's political parties.

The leader of Yorkshire First, Richard Carter, said there was a strong case for more devolution to Yorkshire.

He said: "It has a similar population to Scotland and an economy almost double that of Wales, and it’s about time Yorkshire had similar powers."

Mr Carter said they were planning to get as many people to sign the pledge as possible over the coming weeks and months, to put pressure on Westminster's political parties.

He said: "Although it is developed by Yorkshire First, we hope people of all parties and none will sign it to demand that Yorkshire has a voice."

Bradford Council leader, Councillor David Green (Lab), backed the call for greater devolution of powers.

He said: "I think there's a lot of rhetoric about more devolution to the regions. I think the more pressure that is brought by everybody onto the national political parties the better, to ensure that we see the movement from rhetoric into delivery."

Cllr Green said some powers had already been devolved to bodies such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), formed last year, and the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

He added: "But it's also evident that there are some in Whitehall who are struggling with the concept so the more people who are raising this issue of devolution, the better."

Councillor Glen Miller, Conservative group leader, said: "I think more and more is being devolved to the regions. Everybody wants more, but to be fair, we have seen definite devolution here with this coalition government."

And Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, Liberal Democrat group leader, said she was in favour of devolution, but only if it was to democratic organisations, rather than unelected bodies such as WYCA and the LEP.

Cllr Sunderland said by reducing the number of councillors, the region could make room for some kind of Yorkshire Assembly.

She said: "The current system - of devolution without democracy - is not good enough."