One issue that needs to be resolved urgently is the question of English devolution. We have a devolved Parliament in Scotland, a Welsh Assembly in Wales, yet the English have no equivalent powers. Scottish MPs can vote on issues affecting England, yet English MPs have no say on what goes on in Scotland (this is known as the West Lothian Question).
For this reason, last week, I asked a Question to the Welsh Secretary, during a Commons Question time. My question was as follows:
Does she agree that, as devolution develops, we will need a fair constitutional settlement across the United Kingdom, and is it not the Government's intention, therefore, to address English votes for English laws, and indeed English and Welshvotes for English and Welsh laws?
The Secretary of State replied:
My hon. Friend knows that our approach to constitutional matters is informed and underpinned by our commitment to the Union and devolution and our conviction that power should rest in the hands of those we serve. Indeed, we have committed, in our programme of government, to establishing a commission to consider what has become known as the West Lothian question, and we are working to take that forward.
For this reason, last week, I asked a Question to the Welsh Secretary, during a Commons Question time. My question was as follows:
Does she agree that, as devolution develops, we will need a fair constitutional settlement across the United Kingdom, and is it not the Government's intention, therefore, to address English votes for English laws, and indeed English and Welshvotes for English and Welsh laws?
The Secretary of State replied:
My hon. Friend knows that our approach to constitutional matters is informed and underpinned by our commitment to the Union and devolution and our conviction that power should rest in the hands of those we serve. Indeed, we have committed, in our programme of government, to establishing a commission to consider what has become known as the West Lothian question, and we are working to take that forward.
I hope so. England is the most highly populated of all countries of the United Kingdom. Yet we have no chance to control our own affairs and other MPs from other countries, have the right to decide our laws - specific to England.
One answer would be to create an English Parliament. However, my own preference is for English votes for English Laws, meaning that only English MPs would be able to vote on English matters, in Parliament.
For full details of my question, click HERE.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
One answer would be to create an English Parliament. However, my own preference is for English votes for English Laws, meaning that only English MPs would be able to vote on English matters, in Parliament.
For full details of my question, click HERE.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
If you don't want MPs elected outside England voting on English legislation, would you also prevent MPs elected outside England from becoming ministers or secretaries of state for departments with a wholly English or mostly English portfolio?
ReplyDeleteIt would seem illogical - possibly undemocratic - for MPS to have ministerial responsibilities over areas on which they cannot vote.
Would you favour English members being able to initiate their own legislation, which in effect would provide a distinct (if weak) national voice for England? If English MPS are 'to decide our laws' as you suggest, then surely it is not just voting privileges that are important - more important are the laws being voted upon and the government that proposes them.
The Conservatives won a majority in England at the last general election but England will not get the policies that we voted for because England was denied a Conservative Government by Scotland and Wales overturning the English Tory majority. Fannying about with the voting privileges of Scottish and Welsh MPs does not prevent them from dictating the colour of government that England gets.
How would your proposal ensure that England gets the Government and policies that it voted for?
Would you agree, though, that it's up to the people of England whether we have English votes on English laws or an English parliament? A "fair constitutional settlement" involves consulting the people how they wish to be governed, just as the Scots and Welsh were asked for their views on devolution in a referendum, and indeed the Welsh are being consulted for a second time.
ReplyDeleteGood on you Mr.Halfon,an Englishman mentioning England in the commons, a rarity indeed.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Rob, but of course 'English votes for English laws' is only part of the story. The UK Govt frames very few English-only bills as it tends to tack on UK matters. The English MPs would need some form of organisation within Westminister to put forward English-only legislation. A 'Grand Committee' would not be enough. Legislation would also need to be progressed by an English MP, answering to English MPs,as the Minister in charge of the relevant English department. Having an MP who represents a Scottish or Welsh constituency running English health, education, police etc would not be appropriate.
ReplyDeleteWell said! I do, however, believe that we in England must ultimately have our own parliament and govern our own affairs. It is an insult to the people of England, where ever in the world we come from, and a blight on democracy that England, with over 80% of the population of UK, is denied the parliament that all other parts of the union were given by England hating zanulabour.
ReplyDeleteHow outrageous too that, while the people of England are denied our own parliament, we are forced to subsidise the parliaments of Scotland, Ireland and Wales and the iniquities of the Barnet formula.
If the British government does not resolve this appalling discrimination against the people of England, sooner or later it won't be the Scotland calling for Independence, it will be England. I would welcome Independence too as it would mean that English prosperity, values and civil liberities would be most unlikely to ever again be destroyed by and anti-English Labour governement and Prime Minister.
You might like to consider the Cornish question in future musings.
ReplyDeleteA good article here on our unique constitutional position: http://madderdoee.blogspot.com/2010/09/that-private-estate-be-funny-lookin.html