English votes for English laws

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.

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

Back to Parliament

It is back to the Commons tomorrow as the Recess is over. I shall be driving from Harlow at 0545 to be in the Commons by 0730. In order to be guaranteed a seat, you have to put in a 'prayer card' at 0800. You then have to be in the Commons for prayers (at the beginning of each sitting), to get the seat you have reserved.

On Mondays we always have a morning meeting with my staff to review the week ahead, discuss casework and go through the diary. After, there are a range of meetings.

My first appointment is with EDGE - the organisation that promotes vocational training and apprenticeships. We are discussing plans to boost apprentices across the country.

In the afternoon it is Home Office Questions and then the debate on constitutional reform.

This is an incredibly important day in our political history, that could have profound constitutional implications for the future. MPs will be voting whether to have a referendum on electoral reform (to introduce the Alternative Vote ) on the day of next year's local elections. We will also be deciding on the re-drawing of constituency boundaries to ensure that every constituency has equal number of voters. At present there are huge variations.

Astonishingly, despite having had a manifesto commitment for AV, the Labour Party look like they will vote against the Bill. For some bizarre reason, they are also likely to vote against equal sized constituencies. Some might say it is opposition for opposition's sake.