Belfast Gonzo at Slugger O’Toole points us to a very interesting story in the Belfast Newsletter.
Dalyell Holds His Hands Up Over Fees Vote Gaffe
Friday 11th March 2005
Veteran parliamentarian Tam Dalyell apologised to the people of Northern Ireland yesterday after a controversial vote supporting the implementation of university fees in the Province.
The Scots MP was one of 44 Labour voters branded hypocrites by Conservative David Lidington after it emerged that they had all voted more than a year ago against the introduction of similar charges in England.
The Northern Ireland Higher Education Order was voted through by 250 to 116 on Tuesday night, moving it on to the next stage but not yet bringing it into law.
However, several MPs including Clare Short and Glenda Jackson admitted to the News Letter that they were unaware exactly what they were voting for.
Each expressed regret but, yesterday morning, Mr Dalyell contacted the News Letter personally to apologise for his error.
So this how, the British constitution works.
Members of the Scottish Parliament vote against tuition fees for Scotland.
English MPs vote against tuition fees but England gets them anyway, because of the votes of Scottish MPs.
Northern Ireland MPs vote against tuition fees for England, but Northern Ireland gets tuition fees because of the votes of English MPs.
It’s hard to resist the conclusion that Scotland’s got the best of the deal here. Northern Ireland at least has the option of devolution, something which does not as yet seem to be on offer for England.
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