Deal or no deal? Resounding 'no' from Wakefield public to West Yorkshire mayor would force 'rethink'

Local council leaders sign the proposed agreement, alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March.

A resounding 'no' from the Wakefield public to a West Yorkshire mayor could force a "rethink" on the current plans.

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery said she hoped local people would back the idea, as a public consultation on the region's devolution deal begins next week.

The deal, agreed by local politicians and the government, would see a mayor installed next year and West Yorkshire given more say over issues such as transport and skills.

But Councillor Jeffery admitted on a virtual meeting with Cabinet colleagues on Tuesday that little thought had been given to what will happen if the public reject the deal.

If the agreement does go ahead, a West Yorkshire metro mayor will be elected for the first time next year.

She suggested that if a huge majority are against it, then it would not go ahead in its current form, but added she believed the current plans are "the only game in town".

Public consultations are taking place across West Yorkshire on the deal.

Councillor Jeffery said: "I don't think we've actually thought about what will happen if people say 'no', because we have agreed it at council and we need to move forward with this.

"If it was an overwhelming 'no' we'd have to obviously have a rethink.

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery and deputy leader Jack Hemingway say they're both in favour of the deal.

"If the consultation is negative, then West Yorkshire authorities can decide not to (go ahead) with it.

"It would all be a bit complicated so I'm hoping people will say 'yes' when they see the deal laid out in front of them."