In this Guardian article, the ex-Labour deputy leader Roy Hattersley, argues in favour of an English parliament to restore equilibrium to an unbalanced constitution following devolution to Scotland and Wales. This curious circumstance is currently being highlighted by the struggle to get the government´s education bill through parliament, which will only happen with Scottish (and Tory) support – it´s also rather obvious when Scot John Reid makes health policy that only applies to England. The problem could, at least in part, have been solved by Prescott´s regional assemblies – but the only referendum that got off the ground was quite unequivocal in its dismissal of what was seen as an expensive talking shop. This suggests that this is an issue which concerns politicians and political hangers-on (like me) far more than it concerns normal people. Personally I cannot see a single problem with an English parliament, and a consequential beefing up of the Welsh assembly. This could sit in the old Royal Exchange with the First Minister occupying the Mansion House – the Lord Mayor can be resigned to history for all I care. This would put the English capital firmly in London, away from the UK in Westminster. If this were to go ahead, I´d like to see three other things happen as part of the same process. Firstly, maximum powers being devolved from Westminster to Edinburgh, Cardiff, London and Belfast – the default place for all power would then be at this level except where Westminster can prove otherwise. This is basically a federal system as operates in Germany. Secondly, and this overrides the first one above, maximum powers should be devolved to local councils and elected mayors. This totally negates the need for regional assemblies – regional councils can come together to represent their regions, and if necessary be aided by the national (not Westminster) government. Thirdly, massive Westminster reform to see a much smaller House of Commons, a totally reformed House of Lords (based on a combination of council appointees and other appointees from selected organisations that can prove significant public support), and consequently a much slimmed central government civil service machine.
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