The party, which was founded in 2014, campaigns for the establishment of a devolved Yorkshire Parliament within the United Kingdom, with powers over education, environment, transportation and housing.

[6] It describes itself as a centrist party built on social-democratic principles and believes that "changing the way the UK political system works is the best way to address the everyday issues faced by people living in Yorkshire".

Internationally, the party was granted observer status in the European Free Alliance grouping[15] and has since become a full member.

[5] In 2016, the party contested 17 candidates across six local authorities, and also fought the Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough by-election.

[17] In May 2017, the Yorkshire Party stood in Doncaster for the first time, contesting the mayoral election and saving its deposit.

[19] In 2018, the party's Rotherham candidate, Mick Bower, was selected to contest the Sheffield City Region mayoral election.

[23] Whitwood expressed his optimism at the positive role the Yorkshire Party could play in the politics of people's everyday lives, describing the period as a golden opportunity where "small parties can make a huge difference and carry a huge amount of influence".

In May 2020, Bob Buxton, a teacher, was elected to serve a two-year term as leader following the resignation of Whitwood.

[27] In June 2020, a Shipley businessman, Darren Longhorn, was appointed interim party chairman.

On 14 June 2023, the Conservative Party lost its majority on North Yorkshire Council following the resignation of one of its councillors,[30] Mike Jordan, who represents the Camblesforth & Carlton ward in the Selby area.

[35] The party's argument for regional devolution is said to be founded on the principle of subsidiarity[24] – the belief that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralised competent authority.

The party promotes a range of policies covering education, environment, transport and housing it describes as economically centrist and underpinned by social democratic principles.

[44] The Yorkshire Party contested the 2022 Wakefield by-election with David Herdson, who lives in the constituency, as candidate.