It appears that Mr Clegg and the Lib Dems are as determined as Labour to deny England any justice on our lop sided devolution settlement. Rumour has it that they turned down Mr Hague’s request to join Conservatives in voting through English votes for English issues. If they would add their votes to ours...
In an April survey on the “Future of England” (You Gov, sampled English voters) 62% wanted English votes for English issues, with only 12% against. ( 5 to 1) 42% of voters also favoured giving control of the majority of taxes raised in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament, with 25% against. Many people in...
The Prime Minister confirmed today that there will be justice for England to the same timetable as Scotland if the Conservatives win the General Election, with devolution for them both (and for Wales and Northern Ireland as they wish). The Chief Whip confirmed that talks are underway to see if English votes for...
I was glad the Prime Minister announced his support for this measure from the doorstep of 10 Downing Street yesterday morning. Mr Hague has a crucial task to pilot this through the political difficulties ahead. Listening to media voices yesterday, there are still plenty of misunderstandings about this. The first is the question what...
Members of Parliament are heirs to a great tradition. Some of our predecessors took great personal risks to defend and extend the liberties of Englishmen and women. They fought to prevent the executive government, the Crown, exercising too much arbitrary power at the expense of the people. Today we need to remember that when ...
English nationalism is not defined by attitudes towards other parts of the United Kingdom. Indeed most English nationalists are relaxed about belonging to the union of the UK. Most accept that it is Scotland’s call whether to stay or go from the union. The defining characteristic of English nationalism is dislike of EU...
I am very tolerant of UKIP commentators on this site. I regularly post their comments. They are the one group who are often partisan, and regularly post exhortations to vote for their own party. Contributors from others parties are usually more restrained. UKIP supporters here also often make big claims for what their...
I will answer this question with a couple of posts. Today I will look at the policy issues behind the disagreements. Tomorrow I will consider the people. The rebellions all represent a frustration that not enough Conservative policies are being pursued by the government. Conservative MPs point out that the Conservative party won...
Mr Miliband has plunged into the politics of identity, by telling us he is proud to be English. He has also apologised for Labour’s past, which he tells us was not good at cherishing or promoting England’s identity. The amusing thing about his foray was the Channel Four interview with him. It...
I am with the Prime Minister when he says the UK Parliament should decide on when the referendum on Scottish independence is held, and what the question should be. Scottish nationalist concerns will be recognised by the UK Parliament holding a referendum on the topic, and by agreeing to their view that only Scottish...