A regional daily is set to publish a manifesto on behalf of its readership ahead of May’s General Election.

The Yorkshire Post will produce the ‘Yorkshire Manifesto’ as politicians of all colours head out on the campaign trail in the coming months.

The Leeds-based Post will publish the manifesto next month, and is currently seeking ideas from readers about what they would like to see within it.

Suggestions include demands for regional devolution, calls for better broadband in countryside communities and better flood defences across the county.

A Post editorial states: “Yorkshire is set to be one of the nation’s key election battlegrounds as voters in the region prepare to set out their demands.

“Voters in Yorkshire hold the key to Downing Street, with swing seats, heartland bases for leadership material and break through constituencies for minor parties all in the minds of senior election planners.

“And to bring that focus together, today The Yorkshire Post begins the process of ensuring the region has a united voice.

“We will be publishing next month a Yorkshire Manifesto, promoting concerns and opportunities the region thinks should be high on the minds of party leaders seeking your vote.”

It is hoped the manifesto will disassociate Yorkshire from the rest of the North of England in the minds of those either seeking office, or those who hold it already.

The editorial adds: “Next month the views of those across the region will be set out in a Yorkshire manifesto which will unpin how this newspaper represents you.

“The demands set out in the manifesto will be used as a way of judging success or failure from every party, ensuring that this time Yorkshire is their priority as well.”