Falconer attacks English Parliament

Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer has strongly attacked the idea of an English Parliament in a speech to the ESRC today.

because 80% of the population of the UK was English there was "absolutely no need for the sort of protection for the Scots and the Welsh by having their own parliament or assembly," he argued.

It was possible that some decisions to be won with Scottish and Welsh votes despite only a minority of English MPs supporting them.

But the chances were "very, very slight" as it was inconceivable political parties would not pitch their appeals to the English as so many voters and MPs were from England. (BBC News)

It looks as if Lord Falconer has forgotten about top-up fees and foundation hospitals.


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6 responses to “Falconer attacks English Parliament”

  1. Markham avatar

    How very disappointing.
    When I read ‘falconer attacks parliament’, I pictured a tweedy man with a large, angry eagle on his arm.
    Politics needs more angry eagles.

  2. Tom Griffin avatar

    We don’t go in for that kind of thing here.
    A considered appraisal of the constitutional dynamics of devolution, that’s what the punters want!

  3. Hereward the wake avatar
    Hereward the wake

    Falconer? Is that the same scotch free-loading, useless falconer who fudged up the milennium dome?
    Is that the same pompous, self-rightous scotch falconer who used to SHARE A FLAT with TONY BLAIR?
    Is that the same overblown, egotisticical scotch moron who is in the position of lord chancellor?
    No, it can’t be because NEW LABOUR DECIDED THAT THE LORD CHANCELLOR POSITION WAS TO BE DONE AWAY WITH!
    Falconer CAN STICK HIS IRRELEVANT OPINION WHERE THE SUN DONT SHINE!
    As the scotch say to us, keep your nose our of OUR affairs!

  4. Tom Griffin avatar

    I don’t think the problem is the Scots as such. In fact, I think supporters of an English Parliament have a common interest with those Scots who want further autonomy. Success for one is likely to mean success for the other.
    The main problem is a relatively small group of people at the centre whose own power is bound up with the status quo.
    There are even Scottish Labour MPs who are prepared to acknowledge the injustices of the West Lothian question.
    The fact that a member of the cabinet has finally been forced to engage seriously with the arguments for an English Parliament is quite telling.

  5. Jefferson Davis avatar

    Green Ribbon, where are you? I’ve been missing your post. I hope everything is going good for you. Let us all know how you are doing. Thanks..

  6. Tom Griffin avatar

    I’m fine thank’s Jefferson, just a mild case of bloggers block. Should be back up to speed after the St Patrick’s Day weekend!

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