Honest about the problems our union faces?

[Veronica]

According to the press, David Cameron, speaking at a party fundraiser in Glasgow last week said: "I believe we should be honest about the problems our union faces”

As I see it our party is in a state of denial about devolution and should accept, indeed embrace equality within the Union and support a parliament for England. This would be a grown up resolution to the current problems and stabalise the Union providing a cohesive voice for the people of England.

[SokeBoy]

Originally Posted by Veronica

According to the press, David Cameron, speaking at a party fundraiser in Glasgow last week said: "I believe we should be honest about the problems our union faces”

As I see it our party is in a state of denial about devolution and should accept, indeed embrace equality within the Union and support a parliament for England. This would be a grown up resolution to the current problems and stabalise the Union providing a cohesive voice for the people of England.

I'm in favour of full English independence, but it is nice to know that CallMeDave has come out in favour of an English Parliament within the Union

Will it happen? Erm, no. The EUSSR wants to split England into meaningless regions. If an English Parliament within the Union is not on the table then England should leave the Union- and the EUSSR as well.

[Tekro]

The whole things a fiasco really. If the UK is to be one country, then it should have one parliament, or a big parliament and a smaller one for every region. It should not have some areas with two parliaments and some with just the one, that leads to resentment. If that's not an option then maybe it's better the whole thing just split up, the half and half we have at the moment is just plain unfair.

[Veronica]

I wish it were the case that David Cameron had come out in favour of an English Parliament within the Union but I'm afraid that it is not. The comment was mine not his although I hope to hear him say that one day.
Increasing numbers of academics and politicians from all of the 3 main party's agree that an English Parliament is the only logical solution to this develutional mess.
We just have to wait for someone to grow up enough to embrace the changes this would mean to the UK government as it would need to be greatly reduced.

[akaali]

Veronica, the problem with an English Parliament is federalism aka the EU. As a Scot I opposed devolution because it would eventually lead to the disintegration of the UK - that is on its way I reckon.

The West Lothian question remains unanswered and it will continue to be the constitutional elephant in the room - English Tories want this corrected with an English Parliament, and why not? You should hear the left-wing in Scotland rabbit on about the English deserving this constitutional imbalance because of the poll tax being imposed on Scotland by Thatcher. That stupid argument was answered in 1992 when the Scots Tories increased their representation at Westminster, albeit not under Thatcher, and should have been put to bed then.

I think Scots MPs must be prevented from voting on English only matters - that is a no brainer for me. The Scotland Act should be repealed to save the Union otherwise the SNP will get their way.

[Veronica]

akaali, you write that English Tories want this corrected with an English Parliament. I see very little evidence of this or indeed any interest in anything relating to England's governance. Over 150 of our Conservative MPs failed to turn up to vote last week when Regional Grand Committees and Regional Select Committees were debated. This gives me little faith in their concern about the governance of England where the majority of their voters reside.

[SokeBoy]

Originally Posted by Veronica

I wish it were the case that David Cameron had come out in favour of an English Parliament within the Union but I'm afraid that it is not. The comment was mine not his although I hope to hear him say that one day.

Perhaps I should learn to read!

[Veronica]

You are forgiven ;-)

[SokeBoy]

Originally Posted by Veronica

You are forgiven ;-)

Thank you!

[akaali]

Originally Posted by Veronica

akaali, you write that English Tories want this corrected with an English Parliament. I see very little evidence of this or indeed any interest in anything relating to England's governance. Over 150 of our Conservative MPs failed to turn up to vote last week when Regional Grand Committees and Regional Select Committees were debated. This gives me little faith in their concern about the governance of England where the majority of their voters reside.

Correct me if I'm wrong but are there not some on the right of the Party in England who have been calling for an English parliament, or is it only the Romford brigade?!

Do most Tories in England not oppose regionalism? I thought Grand Committees died with Scottish devolution. Teddy Taylor MP always opposed devolution and laid it on the line many, many years before devolution by confessing that Scotland should either be Unionist or independent - no devolution.

I reckon it is either true believers in the Union (Tories) or in independence (SNP) who are able to tackle the West Lothian question straight on. Labour and the Lib Dems do not see the trouble because they are constitutional idealists and this is the real danger for our Union.

The default position of most Conservatives, be they English or Scottish, is that the hybrid system is not working hence why I favour repealing the Scotland Act and getting back to a true United Kingdom. Controversial, but independence is the natural progression from devolution whether it directly involves your nation or your increasingly interested (and pissed off) neighbours!