OTLEY'S MP has reiterated his backing of the 'One Yorkshire' devolution plan.

Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) spoke out in favour of the proposal in a speech given at Westminster Hall last week.

The One Yorkshire idea is the latest attempt to move regional devolution plans forward - and Mr Sobel said it would be more appropriate for towns like Otley than city-region deals.

He said: "Yorkshire is demonstrably not a place with one metropolis around which the rest of the historic county revolves.

"It is simply not suited to the Government’s policy for devolution in the form of metro Mayors or city regions.

"My constituency is a case in point - it ties together the university, urban areas, rural areas, market towns and villages.

"A broad, county-wide deal that recognises the reality of our region’s identity, variety and strengths would be better for directing investment and spreading opportunity fairly.

"I cannot conceive that anything other than a single Yorkshire authority could have the muscle to deliver on such monumental challenges."

The One Yorkshire plan, which has been backed by 17 of the 20 Yorkshire local authorities, would see one combined local authority for the whole of the county.

The new body would be headed up by an elected mayor and have oversight over transport, economic development and skills.

The proposal is not supported, however, by Sheffield or Rotherham councils who have instead backed the Government’s scheme for a Sheffield City Region.