A TV programme tonight calls for the setting up of an English Parliament right here in York. Coming just a month after crusaders for a Yorkshire parliament launched their own campaign in the city, York is fast emerging as the "des res" for would-be political reformers.

Tonight's BBC2 documentary gives a soap box to a campaigner who thinks English culture is under threat.

Alan Ford, a father-of-two from Lincolnshire, uses the half-hour programme to explain his view that if the Scottish can have their own parliament, and the Welsh their own assembly, then the English deserve something too.

And he thinks York would be the ideal place.

Colm Martin, the producer of Mr Ford's Counterblast programme, said: "Geographically, York is a good place because it shifts power northwards, getting away from the North-South divide. It also has a strong heritage and background as a political centre."

An English parliament would not replace the House of Commons, but would specifically represent the English among UK citizens.

Mr Ford, 54, argues that multiculturalism has gone too far and that negative images of football hooligans and a growth in political correctness have combined to create a false impression of the English.

Diana Scott, of York, a member of the Campaign For Yorkshire, said: "I don't want to rubbish the idea of an English parliament because I am very interested to hear all the arguments, but I think it would be difficult.

"I'm not convinced there is a strong enough national identity in England. I see regional government as the answer."

Counterblast is on BBC2 at 7.30pm.

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