Divided Kingdom?
 

It's 300 years since the United Kingdom was formed and now in true British style we supposedly don't want it anymore.
A poll on Newsnight found that 61% in England, 51% in Scotland and 48% in Wales agreed with the idea of an English Parliament being established.
I agree with the Primeminister on this one, the consequences would be catastrophic upon the Scottish economy and seems completely unnecessary.
What's your thoughts?

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

Hang on, they have their own parliament yet we can't have one of our own?

I was always told, be careful of what you wish, you might just get it.

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

that was my thoughts on this too well if it's good enough for them why not!

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

It is wrong.

Scottish MPs can, and do, vote in Westminster on matters that don't apply to Scotland at all.

Devolution, if the Scots and Welsh can have it, should also mean there is an English Assembly. It would probably cost another freakin' fortune, as the Welsh and Scottish ones did, and more bloody pen pushers, but it is only fair.

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

If we're so "united" why do Northern Ireland and Scotland have many laws which differ from those which apply in England and Wales? Why, also, if we are the United Kingdom do our cars have to have GB stickers when they travel abroad instead of UK ones?
davidf

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

also why can scotland n wales vote on our issues in parliment, but we cant vote on theres? united kingdom my ass.:(

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

Of course we should have an English parliament. Why, exactly, would it be devastating to the Scottish economy? Could it be that the English might start to enjoy some of the benefits that Scotland and Wales already have? Maybe an English Assembly would vote for free (grant-aided) university education like the Scots have, or free prescriptions like the Welsh. Yes, I suppose that would cost Scotland a few bob - as the Scottish prime minister has pointed out. :mad:

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

Whatever effect it has on the Scottish economy, I don't see why we should go on a moment longer in the ridiculous situation where Scottish MPs can vote on issues which only affect the English population and where the Scots are featherbedded with all sorts of goodies like free University education that are denied to the English.

I actually think that the stumbling incompetent currently at No 10 is exaggerating the effect it will have on the Scottish economy because a combination of failed policies and lies over Iraq and the like is threatening to cause a mass defection of voters from Labour to the SNP!

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

Well I wouldn't hold your breath about getting and English assembly anytime soon, well not until Gordon gets kicked out on his ear at the next election that is. We no longer live in the United Kingdom anyway we are now a member of the federal states of Europe, sold dwn the river by Blair and Brown who renaged on their promise to let the people deside, so much for listening to the public. and for Gordons next trick he's moving cabinate meetngs on the road, whatever that means, that is of course when he's shuffled th deckchairs on the Titanic after the holidays. :(

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

Aint' even read the thread.. that say's alot for my briitish.. the jocks (sweaty socks) can go and get to the park they usually get up on with the buckfast all week. a waste of time.we all know the English rule.

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

I dont like being part of the european community. I personally think the great britain should be its on continent. We still buy and sell by the pound, not by the euro.

And it should stay that way.
How many people in england class themselves as european? Not me!

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

We could all get our own Parliments..England, Scotland, Wales.. but is it worth it?... We (England) would have to Invade the cavemen all over again.!..and it could be a messy business.. what with all the leeks and half full cans of McKewens strewn over the gaff!

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Well If the Jocks and the SS can have their own assemblies so should we and sod the the leeks and empty Mck cans Mancie, we'll put up with um :D

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mancies still upset about a big team entering manchester:D:p

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Not that big team I was watching last night on BBC 2 Scotland was it Cmonstanley:D

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FBK Kaunas who? :D

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i never said good i said big;):D

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I don't see the problem ... Scotland and Wales, like Quebec in Canada, are distinct societies within a larger political group. All our provinces have a great deal of political autonomy; all elect provincial govts and elect members to sit in the federal parilament. For many years now, Quebecois have voted federally for the Bloc Quebecois; and yet provincially they have voted for the Liberal party ... it seems confusing, but it works. Although there are many in Quebec who wish for independence, these separatistes are in the minority; and Quebecers are content to remain in Canada as a distinct society.

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

That's the problem here, Eric. Scotland and Wales have independent assemblies and also vote in the larger, British, parliament. England has no such local autonomy.

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Now I see what you guys are getting at .... not that it's any of my business, but an independent English assembly seems like a hell of a good idea. If things which primarily affect Scotland can be debated in a Scottish assembly, it only makes sense that things concerning England should be dealt with in an English assembly. Ontario has unique concerns, as does Nunavut and Saskatchewan etc., but areas of general concern are dealt with by the Federal parliament in Ottawa. Seems like Great Britain is heading for a federal system .... don't think it is a bad idea. And why stop with England, Scotland and Wales .... a semi-autonomous Lancashire would be a great idea.:theband:

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

yeah but although the scottish pm vote on stuff up there - it then sometimes goes to westminster for the english to have the final say so..?? you could then ask whats the point of having their parliament ?
and the only good thing the scots pms have came up with of recent is scrapping university fees...
and the flip side could be looked upon in way that many scottish folk proabably thought about for decades...way before holyrood was even thought of...why should english MPs be allowed to make laws for scotland and not in england ?...like the poll tax..poor old maggies biggest boo boo...try it up there and see how it goes...didnt bode well..
at the end of the day you could argue this till they find bin laden and even then you would still have someone who aint happy...

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

But Westminster does not comprise only English MPs so, if Scotland's vote has to go on to Westminster, it is voted on by Britain, not England.

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

ok, thanks for clearing that up for me :) but scotland still doesnt have the overall say in it..it has been said since that eyesore opened in edinburgh that the mp's there are just playing at it...as all the major things go to london..

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

Well that annoys me too. Everything in England centres on London. I think we should have a North West regional assembly. :D

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now theres something...regional assemblys..would probably work pretty well too...however it will never happen as its a good idea...and most good ideas dont get off the ground normally:rolleyes::D

Re: Divided Kingdom?
 

yeh got that bang on glasgow guy.;)