It’s "Unfair" All Right!
It seems that even some on the Left are coming around to the inherent problems with the current constitutional situation:
Gordon Brown, himself a Scottish MP, was urged by a Left-of-Centre think-tank [IPPR] to remedy the perceived constitutional unfairness stemming from the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
As a result of devolution, English MPs can no longer vote on key issues such as health and education in Scotland. But Scottish MPs at Westminster, the majority of whom are Labour, can still have decisive say on English domestic policy…
The Conservatives have previously called for a system of “English votes for English laws” as their solution to what is known in constitutional terms as the West Lothian Question. That would involve only MPs representing seats in England being able to vote on purely English-legislation…
[T]he IPPR report, entitled The End of the Union?, said “they [the Scottish] are still over-represented compared to England”. (The Telegraph)
To say that it is “unfair” is a gross understatement. When Scottish MPs have a potentially decisive vote over policies that do not affect their constituents at all, and especially when they use and abuse the ability, it is more than “unfair” - it is absolutely wrong, on pretty much every level. If you believe in democracy, then you can’t accept the current status quo.
The “English votes for English laws” idea can only possibly work as an immediate, short-term solution. Fundamentally, the entire political system in the UK needs some sort of overhaul to reconcile devolution to all constituent parts of the United Kingdom and fit it with out constitution. The IPPR idea of a “British Constitutional Convention” is a good one. Instead of piecemeal approaches to change, the entire system needs to be considered as a whole.
An “English votes for English laws” programme should be instituted immediately whilst considerations on the final format of the solution is decided. This is the minimum requirement. As far as I am concerned, an English Parliament is essential. It does require any [or certainly many] extra politicians, as MPs could carry out their role in both devolved and national parliaments. Neither would an English parliament need a new building - Westminster Palace can serve fine for both. English nationalism is growing, and must be heeded - sooner or later.
Source: The Telegraph
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The muttterings will become a roar and then they’ll have to listen.
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