The Authority of the British Government

We are told the British government is elected to govern on British issues. Let’s take a look at some of these ‘British’ issues. Taxation, yes. Defence, yes. Pensions, yes.

Then there are other areas such as education, health, and sport. Does the British government have full authority over these matters? Since devolution, the answer is NO.

Because the British government has devolved various powers to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, many issues have now become non-British, because the policies carried out by the British do not apply Britain-wide. And if those policies are not Britain-wide, what legitimacy does the British government have for imposing their policies on just a part of Britain?

I have never seen a political party manifesto from the big three parties, nor have I ever seen a statement from them, that clearly states they are standing for election to govern Britain in its entirety on the whole spectrum of issues. Why? because they’re not standing for election on all these issues. When the big three parties publish manifestos, it isn’t made clear they are standing for election for two jobs: one, the government of Britain on areas where it has full authority, and two, the government of England. Where has it ever been stated by any of the political party candidates they’re standing on a dual-role ticket? Indeed, where is it ever stated by candidates in Scotland that they’re standing for election to Westminster to represent the electorate on non-devolved matters, AND the government of England? In fact the reality is they have the authority to do so.

Because of the perverse nature of the devolution settlement, it is entirely possible that state departments which are now England-only, can be headed up by Scottish MPs who have no accountability to English voters. Take for example, the National Health Service. This is now a department that is divided according to nation with each nation setting its own policies and agenda, except England’s of course, which is entirely managed by the British government. A Scottish Labour MP in a safe seat for example, could be given the job of running England’s health service, make a complete disaster of it, yet never be accountable to a single voter who uses the service.

It seems logical that if you stand for election to the British parliament, you should only be allowed to deal with Britain-wide issues. The health service in England for example, is NOT a British issue, it is an England issue. The same with education and some other matters.

Removing the British government’s authority to manage England’s affairs would of course create a vacuum in politics. If not the British government, then who? The answer is blindingly obvious. If it is right for the Scottish parliament to govern Scottish affairs, then an English parliament should govern English affairs. Having an English parliament would balance the imbalanced devolution settlement, and free up the British government to deal with Britain-wide business, which, after all, it is elected to do in the first place.

English Parliament and Scottish Independence

The Telegraph has an interesting survey over the issue of Scottish independence. It would appear more people in England want the Scots to leave the union than the Scots, percentage wise.  Perhaps finally, the English have had enough of the extra payouts via the Barnett Formula, the whingeing, and Scottish politicians.

The other interesting thing about this survey is the growing support for an English Parliament, which is running at 49%, while the naysayers are down to 16%. If Britain is supposed to be a democratic state, why are the British continuing to deny a referendum on this?

The Prime Minister David Cameron, is fully supportive of the union and has previously stated he will fight tooth and nail to keep it going. I think he’s flogging a dead horse. He’s not willing to front the campaign to save the union because he knows no one in Scotland is going to listen to the ex-public school Tory Toff. The Tory vote in Scotland in minuscule where they have just a single representative in Westminster. Even he, as dumb as he is, must surely realise that the union is on its last legs and wants to carve out a position for himself post-union.

To those politicians who support the union I say this: if the union comes to an end, please do not think you can magically change from British to English overnight. For years you’ve denied us an English Parliament, so why on earth would you want to stand for election to it, if not for the gravy train?

Andrew Marr gets it wrong

On his programme this morning, Andrew Marr, a Scot, begins with this:

‘Are the Scots finally limbering up to leave the UK?’

No Andrew, what you should be saying is:

‘Are the Scots finally limbering up to BREAK the UK?’

He, like many others, seem to assume that the ‘UK’ will continue without Scotland. I can’t see how it can.

The basis of the ‘UK’ rests on the Act of Union from 1707 which forged the countries of England and Scotland into a new state called the United Kingdom of Great Britain. If one of the partners leave, how then can this enterprise continue to exist?

There appears to be this sense that the remaining three countries will continue as a United Kingdom, but I suspect some serious legal problems will arise if the Scots vote to leave. For example, will Scotland be expected to take its fair share of the British state debt? What about the issue of citizenship? How about the consequences for any or all international treaties, such as EU membership, if the British state comes to an end?

I don’t think politicians have actually got their heads around the consequences of a Scottish YES vote, but if it happens, there will no choice but to dismantle the British state. I do not believe the British state can continue if one of the two partners which created the British state leaves.

As many readers will know, I am a supporter of English independence. I believe England would do very well out of the British and European unions. I am disappointed, nay, angry, that the English will not be afforded the same option that Scotland will be. David Cameron has publicly stated no other country in the union will be allowed a say, so the future of a state of 60 million people will be left to around 3 million voter in Scotland.

What kind of democracy is that?

My New Year Wish List

First of all, I’d like to wish all readers a happy and prosperous new year. 2011 was a difficult year for many, so let’s hope things get better.

Now what would I like to see happen this year? The Euro crisis will no doubt deepen and I think there will be a Tory rebellion which could lead to an in/out EU referendum. For me, a detachment from European politics would be good for Britain. It would allow Britain to insulate itself somewhat from the impending European storm. Europe I believe will be the big issue for 2011.

I would also like to see the West Lothian Question finally being addressed. My dream is to see the re-introduction of an English parliament, but it’s unlikely in the short-term. As the issue of the impending Scottish independence vote draws closer, the British will be focusing on dirty tricks to persuade the people of Scotland that the union is a good thing. I expect to see all kinds of bribery going on, which would be to the detriment of the English. Sure, the British government will set up a commission to ‘consider the issue, but my guess is that its default position will be to show that devolution for England would be pointless. As it stands at the moment, if England is ever to regain her parliament, it will be because the union will be terminated.

And finally, my other wish for 2011 is for my beloved QPR to survive in the English Premier League…

Happy Christmas to all my readers

I’d like to wish my readers and all English patriots a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year. I would also like to pay tribute to our armed forces serving overseas.

It’s going to be tough going next year what with the state of the economy, but a couple of things are achievable. The first is the end of the EU and the end of the madness of the European project. The second is dealing with the West Lothian Question, for which, finally, a commission is to be established.

So it’s not all doom and gloom then. Roll on victory!

Some people never Learn

There was a by-election in Feltham and Heston the other day. Nothing unusual about that, but incredibly, 12,639 people decided they’d vote for Labour.

What is the matter with these people? Can’t they see the damage Labour has inflicted upon England? Are they not aware of the state of the economy, or the mass immigration, or the unemployment?

Of course, people are free to vote for whom they like. We live in a democracy, well, a kind of democracy, but why should those of us who detest Labour pay for their mismanagement? Why can’t those who support Labour dip their hands in their pockets and chip in towards the debt and deficit? Voters of Labour, stand up for what you believe in…and pay for it.

Do Labour voters really believe Ed Miliband is PM material? Do they honestly think Ed Balls is a financial genius? To be fair, I don’t believe David Cameron and George Osborne are suitable for their roles either, but Miliband and Balls???

Still, it’s been said that people get the politicians they deserve. No wonder England is in such a bloody state.

Finish the job, Cameron

I’ve been watching the EU events with a great amount of excitement over the last few days. It may be a bit early, but the end of Britain’s EU membership may be close.

The repercussions of David Cameron’s NO to the EU could signal the start of a move for Britain to get out of this organisation once and for all. I’d rather Britain take the lead on this, but I’m not bothered if the EU expels Britain or the British vote to leave. The main thing is to get out before the whole EU edifice crashes completely.

What Is heartening is seeing the likes of Ashdown, Clegg, Miliband, Clark, and the rest of the Europhiles, positively frothing at the mouth over Britain being sidelined by the EU. I’ve always thought the Europhiles were rabid dogs.

Britain has nothing to fear by leaving the EU. There’s talk about thousands of jobs being lost if Britain left, but this is typical Europhile scaremongering. Traders will continue to trade, if the deal is good. As John Redwood said: it needs a winning buyer and a winning seller. Will countries such as Germany stop selling Britain their Mercs and VWs? Will the French stop selling Britain their wine. How about Belgian chocolate? The fact is, Britain runs a huge current account deficit with the EU, something in the region of £45bn a year. There won’t be a trade war.

Britain could reinvigorate EFTA and the Commonwealth for trade, organisations that Britain has deserted in recent years. There is a world outside the EU and as Britain is a global trading nation, new markets could be opened up if the EU is daft enough to start a trade war.

David Cameron has the opportunity to write his name in history. He should call an in/out EU referendum and let the people decide. If the British vote out, he could take them on a journey into a different world, away from EU meddling, and begin a new chapter in the history of Britain.

It’s up to him.

Vote UK out of EU

Here’s a great campaign being run by Jon Gaunt. Please take the time to support this campaign which involves referendums being run in the constituencies of David Cameron, Nick Clegg, and Ed Miliband.