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Unless we move towards a federal structure, with a parliament for English domestic legislation, the UK will start to break up – with disastrous consequences for each of its parts, says Lord Foulkes of Cumnock.
English people must be among the easiest-going anywhere in the world. They have calmly accepted devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Now all domestic matters are effectively controlled by the Parliament or assemblies in three of the four parts of the United Kingdom.
But Scotland, Wales and Northern Irish MPs at Westminster have a say in all English domestic matters, as well as those affecting the whole of the UK.
This democratic deficit has been termed the 'West Lothian question' after the constituency of former MP, Tam Dalyell, who first raised it.
Meanwhile the block grants to these three devolved governments mean spending per capita is higher in each individual part than in England as a whole.
It is highest of all in Scotland, where the Scottish government has introduced free personal care for the elderly, free prescriptions for all and free higher education – all of which are not provided in England.
This was already causing some concern in England, but the latest plan to propose to charge English students in Scottish universities full fees while all other students from European Union countries would have free higher education, is stretching English tolerance to the limit.
So the time is now overdue to consider devolution of domestic matters to an English Parliament.
Some of my colleagues favour English regional devolution, but that has already been rejected in England, notwithstanding many regional variations, both politically and legally.
Some also argue that since over 90 per cent of the UK population is in England, such a solution would be unbalanced – but they give no logical arguments to support this contention.
The centralised UK is now confined to history and unless we move towards a federal structure, with a parliament for English domestic legislation, the UK will start to break up, with disastrous consequences for each of its parts.
George Foulkes was Labour MP for South Ayrshire from 1979-83 and for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley 1983-2005. He was raised to the peerage as Baron Foulkes of Cumnock, of Cumnock in East Ayrshire in 2005. From 2007-11 he served as an MSP for the Lothians region.
Article Comments
@ Philip R Hosking, Cornwall is not the only part of Britain denied its identity and self determination!
England is also treated as if it doesn't exist. If it were up to me I would create an English parliament as well as devolving power to Cornwall should they vote for it.
browzter
17th Jul 2011 at 4:34 pm
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock is correct, he knows of England's anger at being politically treated as second rate citizen by it's own MPs, who deny them equality.
He detects the resentment and hate building up not just against the Scots, but the Welsh and Irish. This feeling is everywhere now. At last count 68% of England's population wanted a Parliament for England, polls suggest this is now into the 80s% with 34% wanting Fulll Independence for England, at this rate this time next year that figure would be well over 50%. It is now of the highest priority that an Englaish parliament is Established with same powers as Scotland, that's if you want to keep the union together. Failure will End it. Paramount is the word here.
Chris
13th Jul 2011 at 11:16 pm
All the LibLabCon's yack about 'fairness', 'democracy' & 'localism' is immediately silenced by two words - English parliament.
This is because a very short time after an English parliament starts, people will be asking British politicians 'You still here? Why?'
British politicians oppose an English parliament only to keep their jobs.
It is scandalous that the Welsh have had three referenda on their assembly while we English are still waiting for our first as a nation on an English parliament.
How can that be defended in a democracy, especially when we had an AV referendum foisted on us? Or was that merely a distraction from the real democratic deficit?
Stephen Gash
13th Jul 2011 at 6:00 pm
An English nationalist movement is the only thing that will finally bring down the rotten British elites, it is what they are all scared of and is why they deny us a voice and attach a stigma to our national identity. We all need to join together and gain our independence! Break up the Disunited Kingdom!
browzter
13th Jul 2011 at 5:43 pm
An English parliament? If the English want it- but this is one Cornishman saying no thanks. An EP would simply be one more centralised body of career politicans filling their own pockets in London. It would do ZERO for Cornwall, Cornish identity or the Cornish economy. Cornish Assembly NOW!
Philip R Hosking
13th Jul 2011 at 5:31 pm
England is treated as nothing else but a bank, when do you ever hear a MP(of any party ) even mention the word England?
i albion
13th Jul 2011 at 1:51 pm
I started out wanting an EP, some 14 years ago. However, due to the apartheaid-like inequalities, such as those you mention and the rising stealth taxes only applied to the English, I have since shifted position and I now really, really crave complete complete Independence.
Of course, the British will never give an inch, despite the failure of their desperate attempts to break up England into bite sized chunks. They have only themselves to blame when our patience runs out.
Tyke
13th Jul 2011 at 11:10 am
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