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Old 21st Sep 2014, 18:05
  #399 (permalink)  
draken55
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Kilmarnock,United Kingdom
Age: 68
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"English votes for English laws"

Think of the Arithmetic. How many times since the Act of Union in 1707 has the influence of Scottish, Welsh and Irish MP's made any difference to an Election result or to voting at Westminster. When England votes Conservative or Labour that's normally what the UK gets. Yes, it was close in 1964 and 1974 and 2010 but it was then a consequence of the Westminster first past the post voting system that minority parties had any influence to wield.

Pre 1997 we had the Scottish Grand Committee/Scottish Office running things with the Party in power co-opting MP's when needed to have their majority. It's true that post the 1997 Devolution settlement, it might look like London has less say in Scottish affairs. Is that really an issue when Westminster decides the block grant and the cash to be given under the Barnett Formula? If it is go on, devolve all bar Defence and Foreign Policy. Most in Scotland would run with that even those like me who would have preferred we never started down this road in the first place.

By normal standards last weeks result was a resounding victory for the Union but only a fool would disregard the fact that 45% of the votes cast wanted it to end.
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