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The West Lothian question refers to issues concerning the ability of Members of Parliament from constituencies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to vote on matters that only affect people living in England. Whilst all three other nations in Britain have devolved governments and have their own democratically elected officials to champion their rights, England still does not have an English Parliament. The idea of an English Parliament is something that has been vigorously opposed by the three main parties – yet all three parties support the rights of the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to have their own governments. What's more, Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems all partake in elections to the devolved governments in Wales and Scotland – something that makes it an even harder pill to swallow that they all oppose the English having their own devolved government to deal with English issues. Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, recently introduced a bill to Parliament in attempt to deal with the West Lothian question. The Bill, titled the Territorial Extent Bill, would have allowed issues that only affect the English to be identified so that only English MPs could vote on them. The summary of the Bill read: The Bill applies to draft primary legislation and to secondary legislation published before the parent Act has gained Royal Assent. In these cases, it requires that the draft Bill should contain a statement setting out its legal effects on each nation of the United Kingdom, and that a memorandum accompany the draft showing its financial effects on each nation. The Bill would also create new rights for citizens to see how proposed changes in the law would affect them, and for MPs to see how the changes would affect their constituents. The Bill requires that the provisions of draft legislation are compatible with these rights, referred to as "the principles of legislative territorial clarity". The Secretary of State must make a statement to this effect, or a statement that he/she is unable to do so, but that the Government wishes to proceed nonetheless. The Bill relates to the 'West Lothian Question', whereby Members representing constituencies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may vote on legislation that applies only to England. If this were addressed by having a special way of voting on 'England only' legislation, then this Bill would provide a means of identifying some of those Bills. Sadly, yet rather predictably, the Bill was defeated in the House of Commons. But the MP did succeed in persuading the Government to announce a commission to look into the issue, details of this which be announced next month. Yet again we can see the double standards of the politicians in Westminster. Whilst it is perfectly fine for the other nations in Britain to have their own devolved assemblies giving them the right to manage their own affairs – the same is not extended to the English. To make matters worse, MPs from those nations can all vote on English matters – despite the fact that English matters have nothing to do with them. The three main parties all seem desperate to deny the English a voice. The English Democrats view this Bill, and the fact it was defeated, as proof that the only way to change this political injustice is to campaign for a party that demands equal rights for the English. The only way to ensure equal rights for the English is by the establishing an English Parliament. We believe Democratic fairness for England is needed, via a referendum on the creation of an English Parliament, Executive and First Minister with at least the same powers as the Scottish Parliament, Executive and First Minister within a federal UK and a reformed Second Chamber at Westminster. England needs a strong voice, one that stands up for English rights and deals with English matters. That voice starts with the English Democrats. |
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The West Lothian Question
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