English votes for English laws?

[King Edward III]

First off, I'm a Unionist and always have been. And secondly, I personally would prefer 100% that we were all governed by one parliament, Westminster and that all these assemblies/parliament were abolished, (except perhaps Northern Ireland as it has a lot of issues it needs to sort out itself). In my personal opinion it has done nothing to "strengthen" the union, except increase the chance that separatists came to government in their own respective areas.

However, due to this whole devolution that has come out of Labour, I can only feel that England has drawn the short straw.

Today we have a Scottish Parliament, Northern Irish assembly and a Welsh assembly. England, however which arguably contributes most in terms of population and wealth, to the union does not (and I don't mean that in an anti-unionist way).

Due to this devolution policy brought about by New Labour, 2 classes of MP's have been created. One which can vote on issues which affect his own constituency and those in England. And another which can only vote on issues regarding his own constituency. Basically, a Scottish MP can vote on issues regarding Scotland (ala Scottish Parliament) but also vote on issues regarding England. An English MP however can only vote on issues regarding England.

Now, Labours whole defense for not having English votes for English laws is "it would weaken the union" and I can only stop and think "Ermm.. devolution?... anyone?". Although let us not kid ourselves, Labour doesn't want English votes for English issues because it relies heavily on its Scottish/Welsh/N.Irish M.P's to force though legislation for England, despite the fact that legislation doesn't' affect them.

Some people want an English Parliament but personally I think that would be going too far. Instead, I think its only fair that laws/whatever regarding ONLY England should be voted upon by MP's it will actually affect, English M.Ps in Westminster.

So, I ask you, should there be English votes for English laws or should England just bear the short straw?

[Max136]

I am in favour of an English parliament or Independence, I think an English parliament is the only way the union could continue atm, if we don't get one then there will be calls for independence.

I'd advise you check out:

http://www.thecep.org.uk/

Another option is to abolish the current devolved parliaments, back to how it was, however... I can't see the Scots/Welsh/Northern Irish settling for that, 1997 was a huge nail in the coffin one which cannot be reversed.

[removeduser_487563287433]

English votes for English laws is perfectly reasonable and sensible. But not right now, not with the SNP bollocking about.

[William the Bastard]

English votes for English laws is perfectly reasonable and sensible. But not right now, not with the SNP bollocking about.

Yep. The SNP are still having a sort of "honeymoon" period whereby they are receiving quite a lot of protest votes. If we had English only votes for English MPs this will only further the SNPs cause and may rupture the Union for something that we can actually wait for. It will happen but there is no point in awkwardly implementing this because the Scots and Welsh are.

[Paggers]

The old West Lothian question.
I believe a solution has been suggested by Malcolm Rifkind to do with Grand Committees. It's called the East Lothian solution.

East Lothian Solution

Given that it appears that we are stuck with the current devolved governments maybe this is a viable solution but I must say I agree with Ferrets and William (can't put your full user name as it is *'d out) as regards to the timing.

[english tyrant]

I think we should stuff parliament and let the good old queen rule supream. Also I think every euro on the planet should be melted down into pounds

[King Edward III]

I think we should stuff parliament and let the good old queen rule supream. Also I think every euro on the planet should be melted down into pounds

Like the good ol' days

[Scar Face]

I have a question about your system. Do you run by 'representation by population'. As in, the amount of MP's for a region represents its total population. In Canada, we have one mp for every 100k people. So, do you go by a similar system?

[english tyrant]

I thought we had MPs allocated to regions.

[Scar Face]

Yes, but are regions defined on population? Every region is 100k, 200k etc, so that there is one mp for every xx amount of people?

[english tyrant]

Er, I don't actually know.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Every constituency has roughly the same population. Every few elections they are reviewed and altered should populations change.

[Denny Crane!]

Every constituency has roughly the same population. Every few elections they are reviewed and altered should populations change.

Or to effect votes favourably.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Or to effect votes favourably.

Sorry, but that's rubbish. Neutrality is paramount.

[Hansa]

I think this is a god idea, as devolution was. Why the Hæll shouldn't the Welsh and Scots have the right to decide matters about the internal policies of Scotland and Wales, same for NIR as long as both sides there grow up and start behaving (something they have, creds to everyone from Adams to Paisley for that).

The same obviously applies for the English, internal English matters should mainly be decided by the English. I also reccomend the voting system introdce by the Scots and Welsh, far better than the first past-the-post relic you use for Westminster, that's as outdated as the musket.

[King Edward III]

I also reccomend the voting system introdce by the Scots and Welsh, far better than the first past-the-post relic you use for Westminster, that's as outdated as the musket.

Damn. But I love the Westminister system. The opposition system anyway.

EDIT: Nevermind.