tobyaw: (Default)
Toby Atkin-Wright ([personal profile] tobyaw) wrote2010-12-09 10:05 pm

West Lothian Question

Education funding is devolved to Holyrood. Was it appropriate for Scottish MPs to vote on tuition fees at Westminster today, in legislation that will only apply in England and Wales?

[identity profile] makyo.livejournal.com 2010-12-09 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
There was so much about this whole affair that wasn't even remotely appropriate, that the West Lothian question is one of the less egregious aspects.
ggreig: (QR Code)

[personal profile] ggreig 2010-12-09 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
The SNP usually abstain from "England-only" votes on the sort of voluntary moral grounds that you seem to be suggesting. They voted against tuition fees today; here's their reasoning.

I think that seems reasonable; and I probably give their reasoning more credence precisely because they don't usually do it. I dunno what the other parties' excuse is.
ggreig: (Crazy or smart?)

[personal profile] ggreig 2010-12-09 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I note that doesn't appear to rule out Scottish MPs voting, only that they can't carry the day. I'm not quite sure what the point of voting would be, under those circumstances, but I'm sure it would be possible to come up with some wizard wheeze.
ggreig: (Microsoft Tag)

[personal profile] ggreig 2010-12-09 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I think:


  1. England should have its own Parliament/assembly but

  2. that's a matter for them and

  3. English votes on English laws is probably second best.



I don't mind much in principle whether separate English and Scottish parliaments occur within a UK framework or through independence, but in practice I think the imbalance in population size will always cause tensions that make independence the better and more stable choice.

[identity profile] loupblanc.livejournal.com 2010-12-10 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
If their constituents or their family plan to go and study in England and Wales then, yes I think it's appropriate

Of course it means English and Welsh MPs should vote in the decisions made by the Scottish Parliament.

What really should happen is maybe have MEnPs which vote in decisions which are relevant to England alone. This whole having separate parliaments thing is great but it's quite confusing when some issues are relevant for one country but not another...