As the old saying goes, a week is a long time in politics. With the Scottish people clearly saying No in the independence referendum the focus has now rapidly shifted to further devolution, but this time across the UK including England.
The West Lothian question always seems to be one of those background issues that pops up every so often when a controversial vote is carried with Scottish MP’s but then left at that. Clearly this is now an issue front and centre. MP’s like John Redwood were quick to call for this once extra powers were being muted for Scotland.
The Prime Minister announced today that William Hague would chair a Cabinet committee to draw up plans for
a fair settlement for the rest of the UK alongside new powers for Scotland.
Just as Scotland will vote separately in the Scottish Parliament on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland, should be able to vote on these issues.
Creating a Cabinet Committee to draw up plans for a fair settlement for the rest of the UK alongside new powers for Scotland. William Hague will chair a cabinet committee – which will draw up plans to the same timescale as the plans for more powers for Scotland.
The Labour position on English votes for English matters seems far from certain. It was interesting to see the BBC today actually grilling the Labour spokesman Sadiq Kahn on the question – and not letting the matter go. I was still non the wiser after watching this.
I do very much hope they do the right thing, rather than the politically expedient option – after all this is a question of fairness.
