It is composed of the districts of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield. It was formed in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972. Its county council was abolished in 1986 making its metropolitan boroughs de facto unitary authorities, although the county still exists in law and ceremonially. In Parliament, all but two of West Yorkshire's M.P.s are Labour. At local level, the councils are generally divided, apart from the Wakefield district, which has long been one the safest Labour councils in the country. The Wakefield district's industrial heritage of coal-mining tends to set it apart from the others somewhat.
Since the abolition of the county council, some services previously controlled by it are now run by joint boards, such as emergency services (West Yorkshire Police) and public transport (West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive). There are currently plans for a tram system in West Yorkshire, but those for a Leeds Supertram were rejected by the government in 2005.
This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of West Yorkshire at current basic prices published (pp.240-253) by Office for National Statistics with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.
Agriculture
Industry
Services
1995
21,302
132
7,740
13,429
2000
27,679
80
8,284
19,314
2003
31,995
91
8,705
23,199
includes hunting and forestry
includes energy and construction
includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured
*Emley Moor, site of the tallest self-supporting structure in the UK (a TV mast) *Walton Hall, West Yorkshire, home of naturalist Charles Waterton and the world's first nature reserve *RSPB Fairburn Ings - wetland centre for birds *Seckar Woods LNR, a Local Nature Reserve *New Swillington Ings Nature Reserve *Otley Chevin - extensive wooded parkland on high ground with extensive views North over Wharfedale and South as far as the Peak District *Harewood Estate - Leeds Country Way public footpath runs through the estate, beautiful landscaped gardens and home to Red Kites amongst many other birds
