Northern English Papers Unite To Demand Scottish-Style Devolution

[Webster]

Regardless of what happens in Scotland with today's independence referendum (...for the record, I hope it succeeds..), there might be a knock-on effect within England itself down the road....

The Guardian: England's northern newspapers unite to demand Scottish-style devolution
Excerpt 1...

Leading regional newspapers across the north of England have joined forces to demand a fair deal for the region from Westminster's three main political parties.

Their unprecedented unity comes in the wake of promises of enhanced devolved powers made to Scotland during the referendum campaign.

Titles in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Middlesbrough and Darlington have published similar front pages today, issuing a joint call to politicians to give a pledge to the north on the same lines as the one given to the people of Scotland, as published on Tuesday in the Daily Record.

The historic initiative means that six newspapers, published by three different publishers, are carrying the same demands. They are The Journal and Chronicle in Newcastle, the Middlesbrough Gazette and the Manchester Evening News (all Trinity Mirror); the Northern Echo in Darlington (Newsquest) and the Yorkshire Post (Johnston Press).

They argue that the United Kingdom is changing and that the north must not be left behind. They are demanding a form of regional devolution with "the power and funding needed to manage our own affairs." Their statement continues:

"Our region faces the risk of being squeezed between an over mighty London in the south and a resurgent Scotland making the most of its new-found freedoms to the north.

But this is also a time of enormous opportunity for the north of England. Let us off the leash and we will create wealth and jobs, and help the UK succeed in today's challenging world.

Sensible devolution to regions such as ours, and perhaps ensuring we have a fair hearing at Westminster too, will also help to reassure English voters that they are getting a fair deal after so many promises were made to Scotland during the referendum campaign."

...surprisingly, none of Liverpool's major papers seem to have joined along with the others, which could indicate a potential schism in the North...I could be wrong, of course, but still...
...anyway, thoughts?