THE NEED FOR AN ENGLISH PARLIAMENT
Below is a copy of a press release issued by the Scottish National Party:
Constitution Unit Can't Duck West Lothian Question
Westminster
Responding today (Tuesday) to the Constitution Unit's (CU) report into the so called West Lothian Question, and the impact of Scottish MP's voting on English only issues, Pete Wishart, the SNP's Constitution Spokesman at Westminster said the CU had essentially missed the point and that this was an issue that desperately needs a solution. Speaking today Mr Wishart said:
"The Constitution Unit, having just discovered the implications of the West Lothian Question, like so many before it, has sadly retreated from addressing the issue because independence for Scotland stands out as the clearest answer.
"Like others, since Tam Dalyell so elegantly first put this key constitutional question, they would appear to have left it unanswered because of this logical answer.
"The reality though is that England does have a majority of MPs against a number of the Government's policies. In order to get controversial English legislation through they have relied on a compliant contingent from Scottish seats.
"English MP's have every right to feel aggrieved that the Government's lobby loyalists from north of the border will determine controversial English outcomes on legislation. Legislation that does not affect their constituencies and to whom they are not answerable. This cannot be right and in no way can this be described as fair.
"The London Government has ignored the consequences of devolution on the Commons but time and events will show it can't keep its head in the sand forever.
"This is a constitutional mess and will have to be addressed in a mature fashion that doesn't duck the solution of independence. If the majority in England - whether voters or MPs - are not in favour of a policy the Government should not use MPs from north of the border to impose it on them. After all we are told we live in a democracy."
END.
Published 10/01/2006 04:30 PM
Constitution Unit Can't Duck West Lothian Question
Westminster
Responding today (Tuesday) to the Constitution Unit's (CU) report into the so called West Lothian Question, and the impact of Scottish MP's voting on English only issues, Pete Wishart, the SNP's Constitution Spokesman at Westminster said the CU had essentially missed the point and that this was an issue that desperately needs a solution. Speaking today Mr Wishart said:
"The Constitution Unit, having just discovered the implications of the West Lothian Question, like so many before it, has sadly retreated from addressing the issue because independence for Scotland stands out as the clearest answer.
"Like others, since Tam Dalyell so elegantly first put this key constitutional question, they would appear to have left it unanswered because of this logical answer.
"The reality though is that England does have a majority of MPs against a number of the Government's policies. In order to get controversial English legislation through they have relied on a compliant contingent from Scottish seats.
"English MP's have every right to feel aggrieved that the Government's lobby loyalists from north of the border will determine controversial English outcomes on legislation. Legislation that does not affect their constituencies and to whom they are not answerable. This cannot be right and in no way can this be described as fair.
"The London Government has ignored the consequences of devolution on the Commons but time and events will show it can't keep its head in the sand forever.
"This is a constitutional mess and will have to be addressed in a mature fashion that doesn't duck the solution of independence. If the majority in England - whether voters or MPs - are not in favour of a policy the Government should not use MPs from north of the border to impose it on them. After all we are told we live in a democracy."
END.
Published 10/01/2006 04:30 PM
posted by erc @ 10:10 pm
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