tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34112832.post6973911478177119350..comments2023-11-05T09:37:36.840+01:00Comments on A View From Rural Wales: The West Lothian QuestionGlyn Davieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10442114752573417252noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34112832.post-6191656304468315962011-12-03T15:23:42.130+01:002011-12-03T15:23:42.130+01:00You appear to be under the impression that the bor...You appear to be under the impression that the border between Shropshire and Montgomeryshire is the only one in Europe. Spare a thought for the NHS patients in Kent to go for hip replacements to France. It's one of the Tories flagship NHS policies of 'choice' in England. Victory in the European court for those languishing on an England NHS waiting list. It turns out it's cheaper to do too, as the English NHS is already overburdened with 'market' considerations. You may consider the 'English votes for English laws' not an option, but somehow every other democracy in Europe some with all borders of a landed nature but they manage to cope. I think GlynBeddau hit the nail with option six, but it doesn't mean that Westminster are currently incapable of deciding what clause of legislation pertain specifically to England.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34112832.post-31946564041762465792011-11-24T17:11:07.267+01:002011-11-24T17:11:07.267+01:00Glyn, your posting highlights the dangers that Joh...Glyn, your posting highlights the dangers that John Major spoke of prior to Labour's half baked plans for a Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament.Just_Say_Nonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34112832.post-69430584344893146812011-11-20T22:27:19.446+01:002011-11-20T22:27:19.446+01:00Jake - No reason why it should disappear, though t...Jake - No reason why it should disappear, though the likelihood of anything being passed without a majority in England would greatly reduce. And it was not the 'nationalists' that included this issue in the Coalition agreement ! I'm not sure Carwyn Jones does want any more meaningful devolution. He wants more money, but not any financial accountability, which brings with it real reponsibility. <br /><br />DP - Again, its not the Nationalists who have driven this. The Commission to consider the WLQuestion has been established by the Coalition Government, and its been a policy of the Conservatives through most of the time since devolution.<br /><br />Glynbeddau - I only listed the options that the Commission will be realistically looking at. I do not think Welsh Independence or Assembly abolition will feature. And I don't think regional assemblies/parliaments thoughout England will feature either. My post was not intended to be theoretical, but what I expect the Commission to actually consider next year.<br /><br />Tim - the debate is going to take place. I've thought about it because I'm taking part in a Total Politics panel discussion on it on Wed.Glyn Davieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17344589217554138315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34112832.post-64454912268855476502011-11-20T21:21:47.438+01:002011-11-20T21:21:47.438+01:00I think the WL question is critical. When during a...I think the WL question is critical. When during a hearing held by thye commission prior to the referendum earlier this year I said that the situation in England was FAR more important I received short shrift. That the extra runway at Heathrow was only voted in using Welsh and Scottish MPs was dreadful. Thank you for your thoughtful contribution. This debate has to take place.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07196996670154316003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34112832.post-9146628047474957072011-11-20T08:27:00.292+01:002011-11-20T08:27:00.292+01:00Surely you can't sk this question without addi...Surely you can't sk this question without adding three more solutions.<br /><br />4. Abolish all the devolved legislative bodies. Which at the moment looks the least popular or likely solution.<br /><br />5. Devolve power to English Regions on a similar basis . Doesn't seem have much support in England.<br /><br />6. Wales and Scotland to be Independent countries and full members of the EU or UN. What ever you may think based on your own arguments this may well be the only long term option.glynbeddauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933352430631144936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34112832.post-7931635312841924902011-11-19T23:51:37.100+01:002011-11-19T23:51:37.100+01:00It's all a bit irrelevant these days as we are...It's all a bit irrelevant these days as we are all part of European Union but I thought this was the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". <br /><br />Afterall even if they did become independent it's not like we'd end up having monitored borders (oh I forgot Offa's Dyke and Hadrian's Wall perhaps they could be rebuilt with a Heritage Lottery fund :o).<br /><br />It's petty grandstanding by some lazy politicians who use the nationalist card to try and build themselves a powerbase and inflate their egos rahter than work with the National Govt. for the National good.<br /><br />God help Wales if we ever had independence :o(D Pimboroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14229755702129712157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34112832.post-55128970833988973822011-11-19T20:49:25.772+01:002011-11-19T20:49:25.772+01:00I think all parties just have to sit and wait to s...I think all parties just have to sit and wait to see what happens in Scotland, and annoyingly if independence happens I think the Lothian question would disappear.<br /><br />1. is my favourite- it wouldn't make the UK any more federal than it is at the moment. Taxes would still be paid to London and the spread out- this is not federalism.<br /><br />2. is just a nightmare. What would happen? would there be bouncers outside Westminster ensuring Welsh MP's don't go into the chamber. And again how do you decide what is 'english'. Although student fees effected England alone- it has dramatic effects for Welsh policy, due to funding, barnett and Welsh students going over the border.<br /><br />3. well this is just ridiculous- where would it end? just 10MP's from Wales. This would be crazy as stuff such as taxes are still done in London.<br /><br />I agree that federalism would be difficult UNLESS England was split. But frankly, I see no alternative!<br /><br />One thing I know: no Government has the b**ls to tackle this- be it Labour or yourselves. And that is the fundamental reason why it is the nationalists that drive this discussion.<br /><br />Why? <br />well I find it strange in Scotland that Lib's, Cons and Lab are just "anti independence" yet they won't reveal what model they want. You cannot go into a referendum saying 'we dont want this' without telling us what you really wan- why can't the Lib's just say they want a full federal UK for example?<br /><br />The same in Wales- we know that Plaid want independence (eventually). But what on earth are Lib, Lab and Con's policy? Really I have no idea!- is it the status quo, federalism.... can you shed some light!<br /><br />Carwyn wants more devolution- but leading to what?! It's all very vague!Jakenoreply@blogger.com