Sorry I probably didn't explain it clearly. The level of power would be disproportionate because a Scottish Parliament, representing the interests of 5 million people, would have equal status with an English Parliament representing 50 million. If English devolution were to happen, devolved regional assemblies of roughly equal size would surely make more sense.
I have no objection to English devolution in theory, and I think it could be a viable option for the future, but as present I am satisfied with how things are. As I said, I think it has the potential to create more problems than it solves.
I don't understand what you mean equal status. An English Parliament would simply deal with devolved matters for England, just like the Scottish Parliament deals with devolved matters for Scotland. MPs in the UK Parliament would be elected as now to deal with matters that were not devolved. Solves the problem of Scottish MPs forcing unwanted English only legislation on the English, as happens now. Scrap the lords.
English Parliament in York, the historic capital of the north.
If i don't get a say on matters devolved to wales why should you get a say on them in england?
I'm not saying you should. But it might mean that a government with a slim majority would be unable to carry out its manifesto commitments on England-only matters, because its Scottish and Welsh MPs wouldn't be allowed to vote for them.
Now that might be a good thing, but it does demonstrate that there are problems with the HoC acting both as a UK and an English Parliament at the same time.
Without the devolution of tax raising measures it rather looks like a more expensive way of spending money allocated from central government. Such a devolution would also have a significant impact on what the regions could raise.
Posibbly but I think it should be split between North and South, the Southern Midlands are either or will become part of the London Communter Belt...
Starting to sound like Heseltine's 1974 destruction of the counties. Let's draw some lines on a map and create some faux administrative areas, rather than sticking with something with thousands of years of history with which people have some sort of affinity.
Starting to sound like Heseltine's 1974 destruction of the counties. Let's draw some lines on a map and create some faux administrative areas, rather than sticking with something with thousands of years of history with which people have some sort of affinity.
Times have changed since they where first made, back then London covered the square mile, now it covers all of Middlesex, Northern Surrey, Far Western Essex, Far North-West Kent and bits of Herfordshire.
With the Communter Belt, it expands as far as Suffolk, the South Coast, Bournmouth/Poole, Oxfordshire, Northamption and Cambridgeshire, house prices, the green belt and HS2 will extend this even further.
Besides, England is no longer one united nation...
Times have changed since they where first made, back then London covered the square mile, now it covers all of Middlesex, Northern Surrey, Far Western Essex, Far North-West Kent and bits of Herfordshire.
With the Communter Belt, it expands as far as Suffolk, the South Coast, Bournmouth/Poole, Oxfordshire, Northamption and Cambridgeshire, house prices, the green belt and HS2 will extend this even further.
Besides, England is no longer one united nation...
So we will now move overnight to Northland and Southland? The border between the two will probably be painted through someone's back garden in Stoke or Nottingham, I guess. As I said, it sounds just like the 1974 reorganisation, and where I live there are still made-up local government districts that are hated by the locals.
Since immgration comes under "foreign affairs" (under my proposal), it would remain with Westminster, thus you would not need a visa to travel within the UK, however I think the regions should be allowed to offer work permits, travel visas and citizenship themselves...
So we will now move overnight to Northland and Southland? The border between the two will probably be painted through someone's back garden in Stoke or Nottingham, I guess. As I said, it sounds just like the 1974 reorganisation, and where I live there are still made-up local government districts that are hated by the locals.
The Border (in my view) should be Shewsbury-Stafford-Burton upon Trent-Derby/Nottingham Metropolitan Area-Newark on Trent-Lincoln-Skegness
Also they would be called "England" for the North and "Londonshire" (in the long run just "London") for the South
I know what you mean about the 1974 reorganisation, but it was needed to reflect the changes that have taken place since they where created, especially when it came to metropolitan areas...
They should consult the people of England and have a serious discussion about what form of devolution would best suit either or England or England's regions. The problem with Westminster though is that unless they are forced to they won't relinquish any power. When they do relinquish power it's as little as they can get away with.
I suppose a "East Anglian" region could cover Norfolk and Most of Suffolk, that would mean the capital will be at Norwich...
I added Cambridgeshire/Cambridge as originally part of the east of it fell under the old Kingdoms boundery before the majority of the fens were drained
Essex of course is separate as well.
i just dont like the way Londonshire seems to be encroaching on the East these last few decades.
They should consult the people of England and have a serious discussion about what form of devolution would best suit either or England or England's regions. The problem with Westminster though is that unless they are forced to they won't relinquish any power. When they do relinquish power it's as little as they can get away with.
I suggest the formation of parties for regional devolution (a London/SE Regionalist Party would do very well in my view) to gain enough seats for the 3 main parties to accept English Self-Government.
Comments
I don't understand what you mean equal status. An English Parliament would simply deal with devolved matters for England, just like the Scottish Parliament deals with devolved matters for Scotland. MPs in the UK Parliament would be elected as now to deal with matters that were not devolved. Solves the problem of Scottish MPs forcing unwanted English only legislation on the English, as happens now. Scrap the lords.
English Parliament in York, the historic capital of the north.
I'm not saying you should. But it might mean that a government with a slim majority would be unable to carry out its manifesto commitments on England-only matters, because its Scottish and Welsh MPs wouldn't be allowed to vote for them.
Now that might be a good thing, but it does demonstrate that there are problems with the HoC acting both as a UK and an English Parliament at the same time.
What about the Midlands?
Posibbly but I think it should be split between North and South, the Southern Midlands are either or will become part of the London Communter Belt...
Starting to sound like Heseltine's 1974 destruction of the counties. Let's draw some lines on a map and create some faux administrative areas, rather than sticking with something with thousands of years of history with which people have some sort of affinity.
Times have changed since they where first made, back then London covered the square mile, now it covers all of Middlesex, Northern Surrey, Far Western Essex, Far North-West Kent and bits of Herfordshire.
With the Communter Belt, it expands as far as Suffolk, the South Coast, Bournmouth/Poole, Oxfordshire, Northamption and Cambridgeshire, house prices, the green belt and HS2 will extend this even further.
Besides, England is no longer one united nation...
Would we need a visa?
So we will now move overnight to Northland and Southland? The border between the two will probably be painted through someone's back garden in Stoke or Nottingham, I guess. As I said, it sounds just like the 1974 reorganisation, and where I live there are still made-up local government districts that are hated by the locals.
I agree (I live in London), however it should be done by devleoping the North/Scotland/Wales rather than weaken London and theSouth East.
Since immgration comes under "foreign affairs" (under my proposal), it would remain with Westminster, thus you would not need a visa to travel within the UK, however I think the regions should be allowed to offer work permits, travel visas and citizenship themselves...
The Border (in my view) should be Shewsbury-Stafford-Burton upon Trent-Derby/Nottingham Metropolitan Area-Newark on Trent-Lincoln-Skegness
Also they would be called "England" for the North and "Londonshire" (in the long run just "London") for the South
I know what you mean about the 1974 reorganisation, but it was needed to reflect the changes that have taken place since they where created, especially when it came to metropolitan areas...
Hold your Horses as an East Anglian which was a tradition region for centuries,i take issue being labelled in with the South East .
We could have our own capital at Cambridge or Norwich and it would work pretty fine.
I suppose a "East Anglian" region could cover Norfolk and Most of Suffolk, that would mean the capital will be at Norwich...
I added Cambridgeshire/Cambridge as originally part of the east of it fell under the old Kingdoms boundery before the majority of the fens were drained
Essex of course is separate as well.
i just dont like the way Londonshire seems to be encroaching on the East these last few decades.
I suggest the formation of parties for regional devolution (a London/SE Regionalist Party would do very well in my view) to gain enough seats for the 3 main parties to accept English Self-Government.
Well that is what happens when you don't build enough houses and have a Green Belt...
Would Yorkshire and Liverpool object to this?
Personally I support this choice for a Northern/English Capital...
Surely the capital of the Eastern region should be in Upper Caistor.
Manchester is considered a southern town by those in the real north, so somewhere like Ripon, Richmond or Harrogate would be much better
The home of "Corrie" is not in the "real North", then where does it start, Newcastle?
What about Leeds? (Ripon + Harrogate are part of the Leeds City Region anyway)