PEOPLE in Keighley and Shipley should be given a vote on whether to break away from Bradford Council, an MP has claimed in the Commons.

Philip Davies told Deputy Prime Minister’s Question Time that too many council decisions only benefited the Labour heartlands of the city centre.

He cited an example of children’s centres in his Shipley constituency and neighbouring Keighley being downgraded while provision in central Bradford was unaffected. “Constituents feel decision making in Bradford is just as distant – if not more so – than in Whitehall,” Mr Davies said.

“Can I urge the Deputy Prime Minister to allow a referendum to decide whether they want to break away.” Nick Clegg responded: “I hope these local difficulties can be resolved so we can devolve more powers to all areas of the country.”