Never tell an Englishman that he can't do something
The Lord Chancellor, Charlie Falconer's, remarks that there is 'absolutely no need' for an English parliament; that 'there is no demand at all' for English-only votes, and; that 'there's no evidence that they [the English] resent the fact that there is no English parliament', have stirred up something of a shitstorm.
This particularly obnoxious member of the Scottish Raj has demonstrated that he lacks any understanding of the English psyche - tell an Englishman that he can't have something and he will try to take it.
Even the BBC, who have for so long ignored the English Question are now running a poll on their website asking the English whether they want an English parliament (click on the image to cast your vote).
Not content with that they are even asking for your comments on the matter. This would have been unthinkable for the staunchly unionist BBC even a year ago, but the BBC have responded to English public pressure and anger at Falconer's arrogance.
The Beeb's webpage has been changed to include quotes from English nationalists and the Lib Dem's spokesman on Constitutional Affairs. It is quite different to the original page that they displayed.
In ruling out an English parliament Lord Falconer has signalled the beginning of the end for the Scottish Raj in England. He has done more in five minutes to rouse the slumbering English giant than the Campaign for an English Parliament could do in a month. We will have our parliament and no amount of lies and denial from Falconer and his minions at the Department of Constitutional Affairs will stop us.
The very fact that Falconer feels the need to rule out an English parliament is the signal that it is on its way. Three of my favourite quotes on this topic have come not from politicians but from bloggers (always quicker and more insightful) commenting on the story:
- Tom Griffin - I'm reminded of the old saying by Gandhi: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." From the tone of Lord Falconer's comments, I'd say he's had to go to stage three.
- Alfie - Charlie, if no one wants one - what are you going on about..... He reminds me of Chicken Licken telling everyone that the sky is falling down...
- Paul Linford - the real significance of today's comments is that Falconer felt it necessary to make them at all. It means the idea of an English Parliament is, finally, on the mainstream political agenda.
And there you have it. That is the take home message from Falconer's outburst.
The Act of Union abolished the Scottish and English parliaments and created a single parliament to rule both nations. It was a political pact between two nations - albeit without the consent of their people. In 1998 the Scottish parliament emerged from the vault of history, in a slightly emasculated form, but nevertheless a national parliament for Scotland. England has been left buried. It is time to renegotiate the Act of Union. The Union either stands as a partnership between consenting nations or it fails; equality or nothing; if the principle of self-determination is good for Scotland then the same arguments hold true for England; constitutional parity or independence.
Any scheme that is devised by well-intentioned unionists to try and patch-up the Union will only increase nationalist demands. The Scots will not countenance having a Scottish parliament that is subordinate to what is largely an English parliament at Westminster, and the English will never accept that Scottish MPs should be allowed to overturn English democracy by voting in the UK parliament on matters that they are democratically unnaccountable on.
What we have is a right fucking mess and it's going to take more than a right fucking idiot like Lord Falconer to sort it out.
I'll leave the last word to Paul Linford:
"I wouldn't worry about Charlie Falconer. He's only in the Government because he's Tony's ex-flatmate and when Gordon takes over he'll be out on his arse quicker than you can say English Constitutional Convention."
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He really doesn't know the
He really doesn't know the English very well does he? We're very friendly and peaceful but try to be unjust...
What would be the purpose of
What would be the purpose of an English Parliament. 80% of the MPs in Westminister are made up of English MPs. 80% of the population of the UK lives in England. England is really in no threat of being politically overcome by Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined.
An England-only Parliament would lead to the first steps of devolution. That is something we cannot and must not risk.
"What would be the purpose of
"What would be the purpose of an English Parliament."
It have the same purpose as the Scottish parliament, and like the Scottish parliament,and unlike the British parliament it would be democratic.
"80% of the population of the UK lives in England. England is really in no threat of being politically overcome by Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined."
It's already happened. English students pay top-up fees and England has foundation hospitals - against the wishes of English MPs - because Scottish and Welsh Labour MPs voted for them in England despite the fact that the Labour Party was opposed to that legislation in Scotland and Wales.
It's wrong and cannot be allowed to happen in a democracy.
"An England-only Parliament would lead to the first steps of devolution. That is something we cannot and must not risk."
What are you talking about? We have already had the first steps of devolution. An Enlish parliament would prevent more cack-handed asymmetric devolution; it would be the first step to federalism, but not the EU-region type of federalism that Prescott wants.
Then, let's eliminate the
Then, let's eliminate the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments because we really don't need an English Parliament. It just would cause too much confusion. It just doesn't make any sense when we practically already have an all-England Parliament in London.
Obviously if the top-up fees passed it was because English MPs voted in support for it as well.
Also, an internet poll on the
Also, an internet poll on the BBC website isn't indactive at all of what the country as a whole wants. You do realize that people outside the UK can and do vote in those polls.
Also, what is your enormous fixation with just England? Why do you so vehemently hate the idea of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
"Obviously if the top-up fees
"Obviously if the top-up fees passed it was because English MPs voted in support for it as well."
Actually they voted against it.
"Also, an internet poll on the BBC website isn't indactive at all of what the country as a whole wants. You do realize that people outside the UK can and do vote in those polls."
Yes, I am outside the UK and I voted.
"Also, what is your enormous fixation with just England? Why do you so vehemently hate the idea of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?"
My enormous fixation with England began back in 1998 when the UK Government gave all the nations of the UK save mine home rule. I don't hate the idea of a United Kingdom, I hate what we have now, and what we have now is not a United Kingdom.
But your suggestion of
But your suggestion of excluding Scotland from the British Parliament is not the United Kingdom either.
In regards to the top-up fees, you make it seem when you say, "Actually, they voted against it" to say that all the English MPs voted against the top-up fees. That is blatantly untrue.
It was a Labour Party initiative. The members of the Labour Party, who happened to live in Scotland, voted with their party. Likewise, Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs in Scotland and Wales voted against the proposal. I don't see what is so bad about that? If the Tories and Lib Dems had had more seats whether in England, Wales, or Scotland, sure, the bill would have failed, but that's what happens when you're not the majority party.
Sorry Richard, you've totally
Sorry Richard, you've totally misinterpreted what I am saying.
Nowhere do I say that Scottish and Welsh MPs should be excluded from the British parliament. This is Tory policy and I am opposed to it.
I want an English parliament for only English constituency MPs.
>>"Actually, they voted against it" to say that all the English MPs voted against the top-up fees.
No it is not, it is to say that English MPs voted against it collectively, which they did.