Posts
I am struggling to see how recent announcements about
proposals to settle "The West Lothian Question" will help with enacting a solution. In the aftermath of the Scottish Referendum,
David Cameron said:
"I have long believed that a
crucial part missing from this national discussion is England. We have heard
the voice of Scotland - and now the millions of voices of England must also be
heard. The question of English votes for English laws – the so-called West
Lothian question – requires a decisive answer."
But he went on by adding two significant hostages to fortune:
"I hope that is going to
take place on a cross-party basis."
"It is also important we
have wider civic engagement about to improve governance in our United Kingdom,
including how to empower our great cities. And we will say more about this in
the coming days."
So, instead of a "decisive answer" we have 3
proposals for debate. Given the
opportunity for partisan political advantage, it is difficult to see how cross-party
progress could be made towards a solution.
Worse, the non sequitur of linking regional empowerment to the central
question should so distract the debate as to ensure discussion continues in the
long grass for evermore.
Christmas cracker conundrum for the Conservative Party - arrange
the following words into a logical sequence: "Fire," "Aim"
and "Ready?"
English votes for English laws can only be a vote winner, why does it have to be discussed with other parties? I do not recall DC discussing the in - out referendum on a reformed EU settlement before making this promise. Even the most politically unaware of voters will understand this issue.
ReplyDelete