Yorkshire Party candidate for Wakefield by-election

Mr Herdson was previously a member of the Conservative Party but resigned in 2019 in protest at Boris Johnson’s policies and attitude.

He later joined the Yorkshire Party, calling it “a centrist, pragmatic party with a positive and ambitious vision of a stronger Yorkshire in a fairer UK”.

Mr Herdson said: “Both the Tories and Labour are London-based parties with London-based leaders, who have let Wakefield down over the years; the Tories especially so, more recently.

"Yorkshire is ignored by Westminster.

"We miss out on funding and initiatives in education and transport.

"It would be far better if we got our fair share up front and had the power to decide what to do with it, through a Yorkshire regional parliament, in the same way that Scotland does.'

"For example, we could have the same level of investment in education as London, to ensure that younger children get the support they need, while giving all post-GCSE students and adults access to a wide choice of suitable vocational and academic options.

"This would fill skills gaps in health and social care, green technology and transport, hospitality, computing and education itself, creating the economic growth and better-paid jobs we need during the cost-of-living crisis.

“I hope to convince the voters of Wakefield that by backing the Yorkshire Party, they can take a big step towards that fairer future, a future with better education and jobs.”

Mr Herdson lives in Crigglestone and works in IT.