I was delighted that the people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain part of our United Kingdom. We really are so much stronger and have a larger footprint and influence around the world as a united country, and it is very much in the interests of both countries that we stay united.
However, following the Referendum in Scotland there is now a growing call for more Devolution for Scotland so that they have maximum control over their own affairs. I think that it is time therefore that we look at making the system fairer for all voters in England as well.
I believe we should work towards creating a system whereby only MP’s in English constituencies vote on laws in the Commons that affect England, and stop the current anomaly whereby Scottish MP’s can vote to change English laws which wouldn’t even apply to Scotland. This is especially unfair when English MP’s cannot vote to affect Scottish laws.
Changing this unfair process would address what is quite a simple injustice- Scottish MP’s in Westminster having influence on legislation which solely effects English voters. For example, on a Monday Scottish MPs in Westminster would be able to vote for their own taxes to come down in Scotland- which we could not influence. Yet on Tuesday, Scottish MP’s could vote to increase taxes on English people and English businesses. This strikes me, many others (and many Scots) as simply unfair and I want to see this rectified. This is the perfect opportunity for the rest of the UK to modernise the way we are represented.
Unfortunately there is no agreement from other political parties with the Prime Minister’s wish to extend English Votes on English Laws but I spoke several times on BBC Radio Northampton about this issue over the past week or so and I know a number of readers heard my comments and I am happy to expand on this view if any reader would like to email me about it.