A Question for Dominic Raab

Writing in the Telegraph, Dominic Raab MP suggests that the Barnett Formula should be ended and Ken Clarke's non-solution to the West Lothian Question should be adopted:

The deal should include ending the outdated Barnett formula, which currently enshrines public spending per head in Scotland at £1,367 above the UK average. The regional impact is even more skewed. Why is UK spending on housing and community amenities in Scotland 37 per cent higher than in the North East, and double that in the Midlands?

For the sake of democratic equality, we should also adopt the proposal made by Ken Clarke (in opposition) to bar Scottish MPs from voting in Westminster on issues that only affect England, Wales or Northern Ireland at the Committee and Report stages.

Surely the only justification for allowing Scottish MPs to vote on English legislation is the fact that English legislation can have financial implications for Scotland due to the Barnett Formula. Get rid of the Barnett Formula and you also remove any rationale for allowing Scottish MPs to vote on English legislation.

Would Mr Raab care explain to the English why Scottish MPs should have any say in English legislation for which the concomitant Scottish legislation is the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament; where is the benefit to the English in allowing Scottish interference at Second and Third reading?

Mr Raab finishes with a populist flourish:

Rather than fighting on the back foot to save the Union, it’s time to make a big, open and comprehensive offer which combines stronger democratic rights for the Scottish people with terms that are fair to Britain. That way we can put the Union on a sustainable basis for the long term.

How generous of him, I'm sure that the Scots will be eternally grateful. But what about Raab's own constituents? Do they deserve a big, open and comprehensive offer which combines stronger democratic rights for the English people, or are the opinions of English people to be ignored as the other nations of the UK are consulted again and again?

Unionists may joke that nationalists don't know the meaning of the word 'consultation', but they would do well to look at their own record on consultation in regard to the governance of England.