Leading article

How to save the Union

Wednesday, 31st October 2007

The Spectator on Malcolm Rifkind's answer to the West Lothian question

Sir Malcolm’s proposal would involve the Speaker or an independent committee ‘certifying’ bills or parts of them as specifically English. It is often claimed that this would be impossibly difficult. This was certainly not the view of Parliament’s own Procedure Committee (dominated by Labour members) in the 1998–99 session, which declared it ‘appropriate to retain special procedures for bills relating exclusively to one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, as currently apply to bills relating exclusively to Scotland or Wales’. Yes, this would sometimes be complex. But it was Labour that set this process in train with its devolution legislation: the Rifkind answer would simply correct some of the gross asymmetries created by that original reform.

The PM’s interest in Britishness is an honourable pursuit, at a time when the nature of allegiance, citizenship and shared national culture is being questioned as never before. But if Mr Brown is serious about preserving the Union, he must accept that the sensitivities of England are no less important than those of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The fuel of separatism is neglect. It is those who cover their ears when the West Lothian question is posed who are truly jeopardising the United Kingdom.

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Scott Forsyth

November 17th, 2007 2:18am Report this comment

The final comment in this article is spot on. The English must have something comparable to the rest of the UK countries where Westminsiter could be used for Defence foreign and EU policy and conflicting or areas of mutual concern to debate. Canada and the US are the perfect example to save the Union we must address what the English need. Iam a passionate Scot and Brit and would be devastated if any UK member left the union!

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