Vote: Would English votes on English laws encourage you to vote Tory?

I've always been in favour of English votes on English Laws (EVoEL), and to some extent so has the Conservative Party. They see why the current system is flawed against the English, but their proposal for a English Grand Committee does not go far enough for some. This is how it works (I think): All MPs can vote on the first, second AND third readings of England-only laws. However, on the third reading, parties would be stopped from using Scottish votes to block amendments made by English MPs. This is not a perfect solution but it is a damn sight more than Gordon Brown would ever offer.

I will be voting Conservative whether or not they go all the way and introduce EVoEL because the Tories are the only party heading in the right direction on this matter. The same can be said over the EU, I desperately wanted a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (the one Labour promised and then refused to hold), but I'm willing to vote for the only Eurosceptic party that has a chance of winning the General Election.

It is important that the Conservative party gets their strategy right on these policies. We are in the position (for now) of looking at a hung parliament or a small majority (more likely), but if we can convince the those in favour of EVoEL and UKIP to change their minds then we should see a decent number of seats. I would like to see David Cameron passionately reinforce
his stated position on the EU, and I would like to see EVoEL adopted as part of the manifesto - even if it is just a promise to introduce it within the first three years of the next parliament.

I cannot understand why EVoEL is made out to be a complicated solution. In my mind it is simple: Any vote that is unique to England should only be voted on by English MPs, it can't be that hard to arrange surely? Just a small note on the coming week's list of votes. Maybe "EMPsO" next to the vote would suffice. We must encourage people, who are generally natural Tory voters to do so at the upcoming General Election - especially as Labour and the Lib Dems are secretly planning to form a coalition that will keep the Tories out of (and themselves in) power for ever.

Would you be more likely to vote Conservative if they promised English Votes on English Laws?
	Yes
	No
	Will vote Tory either way.
pollcode.com free polls

English votes on English Laws - Vote Now.

From Power2010:

Our democracy is in crisis. MPs fiddle while the planet burns. Our rights and freedoms are under attack. Bankers blow billions and the taxpayer foots the bill. We can't go on like this.

We need a healthy democracy that works for all of us and not just a powerful few. POWER2010 exists to help create it. It gives you the chance to have your say on how our democracy works so that together we can change it for the better.

Do you want cleaner funding? Fairer voting? More accountability? You decide. Tell us your ideas for changing the way we run our country. Those with most support will become the POWER2010 Pledge and the focus for our national campaign at the next election.

I'm personally in favour of the idea of "English votes on English Laws" that someone has put forward:

Currently Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each have their own parliament or assembly with devolved powers over education, health and other areas.

MPs from these countries sitting in the UK Parliament, however, still retain the right to vote on laws that will apply in England and not their own countries.

A system of English votes on English laws would mean that only those MPs in Westminster representing English constituencies would be permitted to vote on England-only laws.

Why you should vote for this reform:

• It prevents laws being passed due to the votes of Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh MPs who won't be held accountable for how they voted because the laws don't affect their constituents.

• It ends the fundamental unfairness of MPs from one country voting on issues that affect another country whose MPs don't enjoy the equivalent right.

• It gives the English nation a political voice at the national level, which at the moment it lacks.

You can vote for this HERE

David Cameron - English votes on English matters.

David Cameron has once again said he will support an "English Grand Committee".

David said:

"The solution in the Clarke paper* is the solution I'm most attracted to. "For English-only legislation, we would have a sort of English Grand Committee. That is our intention and what is likely to go in the manifesto."

This is how it works (I think): All MPs can vote on the first, second AND third readings of England-only laws. However, on the third reading, parties would be stopped from using Scottish votes to block amendments made by English MPs.

This is not a perfect solution but it is a damn sight more than Gordon Brown would ever offer. It would be a great addition to the Conservative manifesto and hopefully a stepping stone to an even better solution.

*Clarke suggested the English Grand committee in his paper last year.

History is England, England is history?

History is England.
Law.
Democracy.
Votes for all men.
Votes for women.
One law for all.
Innocent until proven guilty.
The abolition of slavery.
The end of child labour.
Fighting for our freedom at home.
Fighting for the freedom of others abroad.
Human rights.
Equal rights.
History is England.

England is history.
ID Cards.
Positive discrimination.
Extraordinary rendition.
DNA Database.
Phone taps.
CCTV.
42 days detention without charge.
Anonymous witnesses.
Trial without Jury.
Asset freezing.
Restrictions on peaceful protest.
England is history.

The English Democrats name their Henley Candidate.

PRESS RELEASE

HENLEY PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION

TheEnglish Democrats are pleased to announce that we have a candidate nominated to stand in the high profile Henley by-election. The election takes place on 26th June 2008.

Derek Allpass, a retired businessman and Organic Farmer, who lives in nearby Marlow and has 2 adult children, said:-

“I am delighted to stand for the English Democrats. The English Democrats are the English equivalent of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party. In this election only the English Democrats are standing up for England and English interests.”

“The English Democrats argue that the people of Henley, Oxfordshire and England should have fair and equal treatment with the people of Scotland. This can only happen for England if we have our own Parliament, First Minister and Government, which is exactly what the English Democrats are campaigning for”.

“I am proud to be English and keenly support having an English Parliament. As a party the English Democrats believe in family values and upholding our national traditions, celebrating our heroes like Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill. We support the campaign for a national holiday on St George’s Day and keeping our traditional counties. A vote for the English Democrats Party is a vote for England. Our motto is “Not left, not right, just English!”.

St George's Day is worth nothing to the Government.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge confessed her department spent 116 pounds on promoting Saint George's Day this year, 114 pounds in 2007 and absolutely nothing in the previous three years.

The admission provoked outrage from at least one patriotic member of parliament:

"I think it is a shameful indictment and it needs to be changed," said deputy Andrew Rosindell, who is chairman of parliament's all-party Saint George's Day Group. "We must be the only country in the world that spends nothing or virtually nothing on celebrating its national day. It is a great pity. "I was expecting it to be low but not that low. Other countries in the world such as Australia and the United States spend a lot of time and effort in promoting their national days and we should be doing more. "There needs to be a change in the culture of government in the way it approaches something like this."

Are we surprised? No, and it stinks!

Thanks to Robin Tilbrook for bringing this to my attention.

English votes on English matters - Unique Powers.

Why is the question of English votes on English matters so difficult to sort out? We've had Malcolm Rifkind's Grand Committee, which it is argued will only add another layer of government. Now after a lengthy process Ken Clarke comes up with another bloody stupid idea.

From the Telegraph: He (Ken Clarke) is said to have advised allowing all MPs to vote on English legislation at the initial second reading stage of parliamentary scrutiny. But only English MPs would get to vote during the detailed committee stage of the legislative process, where real changes can be effected. At the third and final reading, all MPs could once again vote, but a new parliamentary undertaking would prevent any party using Scottish votes to block amendments made by English MPs.

Why oh why can't we just stop Scottish MPs voting in England on any matter that would normally be devolved to Scotland? In other words - any subject that English MPs are not allowed to vote on in Scotland. Surely that would be a fair and straightforward solution to our political imbalance? In other words, instead of having "Devolved Powers", we could have "Unique Powers".

David Cameron - Pro England - Pro The Union.

In his speech to the Scottish Conservative Party Conference, David Cameron tried to convey his feelings that whilst there is a political imbalance across the United Kingdom which needs desperately to be addressed, the Union should be protected. You may have noticed that the banner at the top of my blog says "pro England" That is still true today as when it was designed for me by Liam Murray a good while ago (Liam also designed Iain Dale's new blog). In my mind being pro England does not necessitate the need to be anti any of the other members of the Union. I have lived and worked in Scotland and have a daughter born there. I served in the RN for 16 years and worked alongside many great friends from all four of the countries that make up our Kingdom. The Union just requires a measure of balance.

David said:

"Let me make it one hundred percent clear: I am passionate about the Union. I don't want to be the Prime Minister of England. I want to be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - all of it, including Scotland.

"I absolutely believe we are stronger together, and weaker apart, and I will do anything and everything to keep our two countries as one. And that means addressing one-by-one the deeper questions that are fuelling separatism.

"Now, there are some would simply blame constitutional and economic arrangements between England and Scotland. 'Sort out West Lothian, renegotiate Barnett, and everything will be fine' they say. Sorry, I don't think that's an adequate explanation for the separatism we're seeing today.

"The West Lothian question and Barnett Formula have been around and been debated for decades - don't tell me it's only now that they've lit the separatist touchpaper. Of course, that doesn't mean we should ignore them. It's essential that we find answers to any unfairness in the Union - and to questions of accountability, justice and democracy. And unlike Labour - who sweep it under the carpet and hope it goes away - we will take those questions seriously. I am confident it will be possible to develop an arrangement whereby, when the House of Commons considers matters that affect only English constituencies, it is English MPs who have the decisive say.

I've said before that the Conservatives under David Cameron do not provide all the answers to all the problems we have with the Union, but they are willing to admit that they exist. Cameron and his team do want find a solution to the English votes on English matters problem. He also understands the need to address the many inequalities that have arisen since the birth of devolution. One thing is for sure, the next government of the UK will be either a Conservative or Labour (looking less likely by the day) one and I know that Labour have no intention of addressing English concerns. Many complain that Cameron does not promise enough or go far enough when he does talk about the problems with the Union - and to some extent I agree. But I will not throw the baby out with the bath water.

The only realistic way to see a better deal for England is to vote Conservative.

Happy St George's Day. God Bless England.

Happy St George's Day all my fellow countrymen. It would of course be a better day if it was a public holiday, but you never know, maybe one day. Gordon Brown seems to have got something right at long, long last by flying the George Cross above Number 10. It's a shame we can't see this kind of celebration repeated around our great country.

England - God bless her.

Hospital parking fees - The English lose out again.

Why are we English always the poor relations when it comes to public services? Today the BBC are telling us that Hospitals in Wales will be bringing in free parking from the 1st of April. This follows an announcement by the Scottish health secretary that a maximum of £3 will be charged in their hospital car parks. Will this happen in England? will it hell, not as long as Gordon Brown is in charge.

This is a chart showing the parking fees at my local hospital in Portsmouth. This is nothing more than a sickness tax. What really disgusts me is the fact that Doctors and Nurses have to pay for the privilege of parking at work.

England - France - off to the pub!!!

Off to the pub to watch the rugby. Come on England!

Vote: Should there be an English parliament?

English Parliament.

Devolution has created a United Kingdom in which Scotland and Wales have national executives while England does not.

The Scottish Parliament has full executive powers independent of the UK in 75% of governance matters. No English MP has any voice at all in such matters as they affect Scotland.

Scottish MPs can both initiate and vote on Acts of Parliament concerning education and the NHS in England.

Constitutionally there are three sorts of people in the island of Great Britain. There are those who are Scottish and British, those who are Welsh and British and those who are just British.

At the moment there is no voice for England in any of the various institutions that help shape EU policy, the conduct of EU business, or the awarding of EU grants.

“There’s a possibility that a Scotsman is going to rule over me. A Scotsman who comes from a constituency where my member of parliament, who I elected, has no say whatsoever.” (Too late Michael, it's happened).

Sir Michael Caine.

Q. Should there be an English parliament?

Click: HERE to vote.

(The results are archived by the British Library)

England is still getting shafted over Scottish voting.

The following is taken from this Thursday's Hansard written answers:

Voting Rights

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Leader of the House what the Government's policy is on the right of right hon. and hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies to vote on matters relating to England where responsibility for such matters in Scotland has been devolved to the Scottish Executive.

Helen Goodman: The Prime Minister has previously set out the Government's policy to the House on the 3 July. This Government do not accept that there should be any discrimination in the rights of hon. Members to take part in the business before the House. ‘English votes for English laws’ would lead to the break up of the Union. This Government believes in the Union and will do nothing to harm it. Constitutional issues are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Justice Secretary.

Helen writes that there should not be any discrimination in the rights of hon. Members to take part in the business before the House. OK Helen, if that is the case, when are we going to start to allow English MPs to vote on Scottish matters?

The answer to this is simple: any matters that are devolved to Scotland, cannot be voted on in the House of Commons by Scottish MPs. How this will break up the so-called Union I've no idea.

Of course an English Parliament is the preferred option.

Beckham is back for the England Friendly with Austria

David Beckham will return to the England side today to earn his 98th cap. It's good to see that he has recovered from his recent knee injury. There is one thing you can say about Beckham and that is he makes opposition goalkeepers and defenders very nervous in dead ball situations.

On the down side Gareth Barry has been replaced with Frank lampard. I know Frank is in great form since coming back from injury, but Barry has played an absolute blinder in his last three England appearances.

You can watch the game live on Sky Sports 1 at 20:00 or you can catch the highlights on BBC 3 at 22:30.

Let's hope it's a good one.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind's Conservative plan for a English Grand Committee.

I'm playing catchup here. The Conservative party plan drawn up by Tory ex-minister Sir Malcolm Rifkind to establish a "grand committee" is in my mind a step in the right direction. Though this is not exactly what I or many other pro English parliament bloggers want to see, it is most definitely a great deal closer to our objectives than anything Labour are going to offer.

Sir Malcolm said: "When the House of Commons is purely discussing English housing or English health or English transport, then why should that not just be left to the English Members of Parliament to decide upon? When these matters are being discussed in Northern Ireland or in Scotland, it's the Scots and the Northern Irish who decide these matters - that's what devolution's all about."

I'm probably going to get some stick for this but I think this is a good idea. I honestly believe that it will be easier to get across the argument for an English parliament, once we are in the position of having English votes on English matters. I will of course continue to call for an English parliament, nothing else in the end is acceptable. Alex Salmond has said that he backed the idea of English votes for English laws, but that a grand committee did not go far enough, saying: "I think the right solution is to have a Scottish Parliament and an English Parliament - I believe independent parliaments - and to do the job properly as opposed to having some sort of spatchcocked solution to appeal for votes in middle England."

When we have a Conservative government that wants English votes on English laws and a Scottish First Minister who wants separate parliaments, it will only be a matter of time before it happens. I cannot however see this happening, ever, under a Labour government.

Expect English Hospital Car parking fees to go up.

Expect English Hospital Car parking fees to go up:

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon is to hold review of NHS hospitals charging for car parking. She feels visitors and staff should be protected from unnecessary or excessive charges. I totally agree with Nicola, it's a disgrace to have to pay for parking in hospital car parks, especially for the staff. One thing is for sure - English hospitals will continue charge for parking. In fact we will probably see the price in England rise as it goes down in Scotland - just like our prescription charges going up as they became free in Wales.

Wendy Alexander MSP - Keep the money coming England

Councillor Tony Sharp, of the Waendel Journal has posted an excellent article on his blog entitled: Scots Labour leader tells English to pay up and shut up. Tony highlights some of the imbalance in the way our taxes are distributed across the UK. Please pop over the Waendel Journal it is well worth a visit.

I left the following comment on the post:

How much wailing and screaming would we hear if the boot was on the other foot?. We'd be hearing cries off "England’s poor cousins" and "Second class citizens." I still cannot believe that MPs of a different country's parliament can vote in ours. No other country in the world would put up with this. A recent survey showed that cancer survival rates in Wales are now higher than those in England. The reason is that the NHS in Wales is better funded than in England, and Welsh patients have access to drugs denied to the English.

What the hell is going on?

The English Blogging Trinity

I've been blogging for about eight months now and I've come to realise that there is a core of bloggers who generally believe in the same principals. These bloggers come from different political backgrounds and social ideologies, however this "core" believe in these three policies:

1) The UK should withdraw from the EU - Or at the very least have a referendum on the EU Treaty (Constitution).

2) England should have its own parliament - Or at the very least have English votes on English matters.

3) They are climate change sceptics - Or at the very least are sceptical that man is the cause.

Do you agree with all three of the above statements?

FA Cup Final and Virgin Trains

Going to the FA Cup Final on Saturday?

Virgin Trains are warning fans, on the advice of British Transport Police and in the interests of public safety, it will not be possible to reserve seats on any Virgin West Coast trains arriving at London Euston before 15:00 or on any leaving Euston from 17:00.

It’s going to be first come first served, so get in there early to avoid disappointment.

You have been warned.

English Anthem Petition - Jerusalem, The PM's Response.

Details of petition:

Submitted by Ben Mortimer

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Formally acknowledge Blake/Parry's Hymn 'Jerusalem' as the anthem for England in the same vein as 'Oh Flower of Scotland' has been accepted as the anthem for Scotland.

"It is absurd that, in a Nation made up of semi-independent Countries, England does not have an anthem. For that reason I propose The hymn by William Blake and Hubert Parry, also known as 'And did Those Feet' be acknowledged as our anthem."

The PM's Response:

The national anthem of the UK 'God Save the Queen' only has that status by convention. It has no official status either by legislation or royal proclamation. Similarly, 'Flower of Scotland', although it is regarded in some quarters as the Scottish national anthem, has no official status. Insofar as a anthem for England is concerned, 'Land of Hope and Glory' is often played when England play in sporting competitions (such as the Commonwealth Games) against other countries of the UK. However, this too has no official standing. The Government has no plans to legislate on this issue.

So it's up to the event organisers to choose the anthem. Let's hope they use some common sense in the future.