Further supplementary memorandum submitted
by the Campaign for an English Parliament
I am a member of the CEP and they have asked
their members to write to you on the subject of an English Parliament,
As the Chairman of the Justice Committee, your brief, I assume,
will be to consider the fairness of the existing situation, i.e.
that England is the only one of the four countries of the United
Kingdom not to have an assembly or a Parliament and must, apparently,
simply consider the overall UK Parliament sufficient even though
English only issues are not debated.
I believe that it is absolutely necessary in
the interests of fair play that the English have some kind of
individual assembly or Parliament. It is not enough to say, oh
well, England is represented enough, it is the chief country in
the Union and the richest of the four nations and it doesn't matter
if we are not separately represented or have anywhere to discuss
English only issues. It does matter.
The arguments dismissing England's case are
long overdue for revision. Devolution in Scotland and Wales is
proceeding apace and the English position is invidious, particularly
when Scottish MPs can vote on matters affecting England and it
has become unjust. The other three countries are being allowed
free rein to discuss and improve the quality of life of their
populations and we are dropping back. Why is this freedom to improve
our lot being curtailed? Presumably, the question is what to do
about the stable door now the horse has bolted.
The situation is so obviously unjust that I
am surprised that MPs can live with it and let it go by the board
month after month. It is absolutely necessary for this situation
to be debated by Parliament and a decision made to balance the
books. What other solutions are there? The problem appears to
be that there is no will to do this and this is another question
which needs to be answered. Why is there no will to do this or
to have a debate in Parliament especially when the polls would
indicate that 60% plus of the population want an English Parliament?
I believe that this situation has come about
inadvertently in the sense that the Government did not expect
a campaign for a English Parliament to arise and it has arisen
because of a deliberate advantage given to Scotland by Tony Blair
in the early days of New Labour in order to win votes. it is very
apparent that the possible effects of Scottish devolution were
not adequately thought out at the time and we have the horror
story approaching of the possible break up of the Union. What
happens when this catastrophic point is reached? What need will
we have of a UK constitution then?
History will not thank New Labour for breaking
up the Union. Presumably, judging by the lack of action going
on, most MPs who do not want to see Scotland lost in Europe think
that it may just be a matter of letting sleeping dogs lie long
enough for the whole problem to resolve itself but it may not
work out that way and the Union needs protecting now.
The solution to the silliness which has prevailed
and produced this devolutionary mess is to have an English Parliament
in order to rectify the situation. As things currently stand,
the English are beginning to wonder about the fact that they seem
to be doing most of the funding of devolution whilst losing their
own place in the scheme of things. They could be forgiven for
feeling rather used. There is a constant downgrading of Englishness
and the question of why this is happening is also beginning to
press for an answer.
English history is heroic and its achievements
something to be proud of but we now have the situation where the
next battle for, English freedom, justice, democracy and sheer
decency is being ignored by the UK Parliament itself. Why is it
so many people are unable to countenance an English Parliament?
They haven't read their history and it's time some of them did.
An English Parliament is the only way to put
matters right. Scottish devolution cannot now be taken away even
if it is felt to have gone too far. This would now be a political
impossibility. However, the situation cannot just be left to drift.
Justice must be seen to be done and, hopefully, this will strengthen
the Union and its future evolution. Let us hope no political party
ever makes such a mess again.
Mrs A C Smith
January 2008
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