Cochrane wasn't far wrong, dangers to the Union are everywhere- you take your eye off the ball for a second and up pops an English parliament!
This one is only on-line (fortunately!), but it does include an impressive starting article from Arthur Aughey in which he pulls together comparisons between the Irish agitation for Home-Rule in the 19th century and the CEP's fight for an English parliament.
4 comments:
Do explain what would be wrong with an English parliament.
I think it's fair that there should be a referendum on the question, but basically an English parliament within the present devolution system would weaken the Union; a fuller argument why is here:
http://tinyurl.com/lhy3wj
"Within the present devolution system" being the crucial point. Believe it or not, the Campaign for an English Parliament do recognise this - part of our argument for an English Parliament is that the Union Parliament will also need to change as well.
In effect, we are also arguing for a democratic renewal of the Union to counter the appalling damage inflicted by Labour. And this means that "Unionists" who oppose us are actually arguing against a renewal of the Union and thus in favour of its breakup - because the current setup is not stable and will not last.
You might not like the current Devolution System, (I don't - and I argued against the form chosen at the time), but the clock can't now be rolled back. So we either continue on the current course leading to a breakup of the Union or we explicitly renew it - and that means acknowledging the people of England rather than ignoring and abusing them.
Put it this way. There is a Campaign for an English Parliament and many other people also working towards our point of view.
Where are the Campaign(s) for the Abolition of Devolution?
Realistically, if you want the Union to continue then we are the only game in town.
"Where are the Campaign(s) for the Abolition of Devolution?"
None, but the political landscape is in a great state of flux at the minute and part of that is down to the fact that there is more dissatisfaction (and not just in England) with the devolution system than is acknowledged by the political and media elite- their little self-serving fiefdoms depend on its continuance hence the reluctance even on the part of the Scottish and Welsh Conservatives to rock the boat.
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