Comments on: In search of West Lothian

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 12:32:36 +0000

The issue that irritates me and many other people that I know isn’t simply that Scottish MPs vote on issues that do not affect their constituents. It’s more that they are voting on issues where those issues are disposed differently in a different parliament for their constituents. I believe that this issue is becoming more emotive every month and will be a major issue in the next election, particularly if Labour go in with a scot as PM and with several scots in his cabinet. Ten years ago I would have called myself a Brit. Now I’m more likely to call myself English….

By: The Sharpener » Blog Archive » David Davis gets lost in West Lothian

The Sharpener » Blog Archive » David Davis gets lost in West Lothian — Thu, 11 May 2006 19:18:08 +0000

[…] Regular readers of The Sharpener will remember that back in the spring I dedicated numerous column inches to the arcane issue of the West Lothian question: How can it be justified that Scottish MPs have the right to vote on English issues that do not concern their constituents, while English MPs do not have the same right to vote on Scottish issues? […]

By: GEOFFREY HINTON

GEOFFREY HINTON — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 14:12:26 +0000

THE WEST LOTHIAN ISSUE.
Dr.John Reid, the M.P. for Aidrie and Defence Minister, voted at Westminster on the Bill to restrict smoking in enclosed public places in England.( He voted for an amendment permitting smoking in certain enclosed places.)The Scottish Parliament had already voted on the issue of smoking in enclosed places and the Airdrie MSP did so.No English M.P. could,or should, have voted in the Edinburgh Parliament on this. Such a situation is plainly inequitable and unfair.There are 41 M.Ps for Scottish Constituencies at Westminster. ( In an Oxford Poll, 93% voted for a complete ban on smoking in public places in the city.This is representative of feeling in England. Why should Dr.Reid be able to use his vote to counter the popular will in England as expressed by M.Ps representing English constituencies ? It is an issue of natural justice. It is also a health issue.

By: The Sharpener » David Davis gets lost in West Lothian

The Sharpener » David Davis gets lost in West Lothian — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 14:21:10 +0000

[…] mber that back in the spring I dedicated numerous column inches to the arcane issue of the West Lothian question: How can it be justified that Scottish MPs have the right to vote on English issues that […]

By: Rodel

Rodel — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 19:12:32 +0000

Who pays?

Scotland’s Oil does and did. As the recently released government report shows, England would have had a 1930’s style depression had it not been allowed access to the oil off Scotland’s coast.

It might be a bitter pill for some English patriots to swallow to admit that, but curtailing Scottish Nationalism in the 1970’s (when it, arguably was at its peak)was what stopped the rest of the UK going down the pan.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jul 2005 08:40:54 +0000

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By: Robin Grant

Robin Grant — Tue, 14 Jun 2005 13:21:37 +0000

While we're on the subject, also see The West Lothian question: Some MPs are more equal than others?

By: EDRIC THE WILD ENGLISHMAN

EDRIC THE WILD ENGLISHMAN — Sat, 11 Jun 2005 19:57:37 +0000

Dear sir,
do you really think we’re going away? Do you think one day you’ll wake up and see us no more? Dream on! YOU people started this, but WE are going to finish it!

Say bye bye! Good riddance as far as i’m concerned.

By: Bishop Hill

Bishop Hill — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 17:53:34 +0000

Third Av:

The point I’m trying to make is that an English MP only gets to vote on matters in Scotland if he is part of a majority in Westminster that is willing to force the issue. Previously he would have got to vote on, say, the Education Bill (Scotland). Now he cannot unless the rest of the Westminster parliament feels so strongly about the issue that they are willing to cause a constitutional crisis by overturning the convention.

The Westminster parliament is still, as you note, supreme. English MPs therefore have lost their right as individuals to vote on Scottish legislation.

To put it another way, a right you can only take advantage of with the agreement of a lot of other people isn’t a right at all.