When general election time comes round and thousands of people put themselves forward to represent us as our Members of Parliament, does anybody ever bother to read their party manifestos, or do they continue to vote tribally as millions usually do?
If one was to read a Scottish manifesto, does it contain full reference to what these candidates intend to do? For example, does it tell people that they will not only represent Scots voters on non-devolved issues such as defence and taxation, but also the full tranche of England-only issues?
You see, Scottish MPs have far greater powers in England than they do in Scotland. Because of devolution, their mandates are extremely limited. They have, for example, no say in Scottish health and education, but have powers to vote on these matters in England. This is a very strange and absurd situation to have. How is it possible for MPs from Scotland to have more power in England than in their home country? Whether the British like it or not, that is the ridiculous situation they have engineered. Perhaps they do like this situation.
One would think that British MPs elected to the British parliament would deal with Britain-wide issues only. Not so. The British have introduced different forms of devolution to three out of four of the ‘home’ countries. They retain an iron grip on English affairs. In effect, this means that Wales and Scotland are self-governing to different degrees, while England is totally governed from Westminster.
The English are getting fed up with British rule, especially when they see the benefits devolved government is delivering in other parts of the union. For example, the Scots are able to provide, via their parliament, free university education. The Welsh are able to deliver free prescriptions through their Assembly. England has none of these things because the British decide otherwise.
Devolved government is often praised among the British because it provides a national voice and localism to people. This theory of course doesn’t apply to England because it’s considered too big for self-government. Well then, if England is too big, why is it in a union with the other countries? Is it not time to change things?
One solution would be to rename the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Kingdom of England, and turn Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland into Crown Dependencies, as is the case with the Isle of Man. After all, England has a population ten times that of Scotland, and around 85% of the total population of Britain.
Whatever happens, one thing is clear; England cannot continue to be ignored. It cannot be allowed to be fragmented into English/Euro regions. And it cannot be allowed to disappear from the world at the behest of the British. A devolved English parliament is the minimum requirement, but my favoured option is an independent English nation state.
One way or another, we English need to see the end of British rule in our country.
You may wish to note that, by self-imposed convention,Scottish and Welsh nationalist MPs do not vote on English legislation.
Yes I understand that to be the case.
Worth pointing out. All power to you in your campaign against British rule. England needs a strong civic nationalist movement.
Thanks. I wish England did have such a movement.
Fife in Scotland where I live is the last remaining and one of the original largest Pictish Kingdoms so when we get our Independence there will be the Kingdom of Fife within Scotland and you would be aware that if you named yourselves Kingdom of England that you aren’t the only Kingdom in the British Isles.
Support the Campaign for an English Parliament then Richard, I do and I vote SNP!
Thats democracy for you!
Good luck!
I am a member of the CEP!
It is a total myth that Nationalist parties do not vote on English only matters. Agree they normally abstain on most English only matters but not all. The SNP voted on the increase in tuition fees to £9,000 even though it only applied to England using the good old Barnett consequentials as a reason and proving even they only have principles when it suits them. The fact they voted against is irrelevant because as an English person I find it insulting and totally unsustainable that they should have the choice in the first place of whether or not to vote on something which will affect my kids but not theirs.
An English Parliament is the only answer where only those elected by us can make decisions for us and hopefully unlike now, will start standing up for us.
It’s absurd that anybody would put the words ‘British’ and ‘democracy’ next to each other.
Yes I guess you’re right!
Devolution was part of a plan for balkanisation of Europe.
Next a genetral fiscal union and some form of fourth reich
Wether the English will still be English probably doesn’t matter to the money men.