Voters were today urged to back a "yes" campaign for a Yorkshire regional assembly and turn their backs on London rule.
Prominent figures in the Yes4Yorkshire group gathered at York Minster to mark the nine-month countdown to a planned referendum.
They argue that a directly-elected regional assembly will help redistribute wealth between the North and South, encourage democratic participation and cut government red tape.
But critics believe a Yorkshire and Humber Assembly would simply create an extra layer of bureaucracy.
Lord Haskins, former chairman of Northern Foods, said Yorkshire needs a "new voice and the power to make a difference".
He said: "We are about providing a breath of fresh air in our political structure.
"We want to establish a new momentum, taking power away from the centre in London and creating wider involvement in our democratic system."
The "Yes" group will launch a series of support groups representing every part of the Yorkshire community, including arts, business, trade unions and transport, over the coming months. They also plan to create a Yorkshire Manifesto.
Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, February 03, 2004
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