Reforming the British Constitution

The recent vote for Scottish Independence resulted in a "No" vote but it seems that many voters only voted "No" because they were promised more powers to be granted to the Scottish Parliament. If the the promise to devolve more power had not been made at the last minute then the result of the referendum would have been closer. A 55% to 45% vote split in favour of Scotland remaining in the Union could have been closer at 52% to 48%. The electorate could have voted for independence but we shall never know for certain.

One thing is certain; the promise made to the Scottish people by all  three of leaders of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal parties must be kept. If not the next referendum might see the UK breaking up but most people in Britain do not want to see that happen.

What is uncertain, though, is how those disappointed with the result of the vote will react if further devolution is denied to them: there could be social unrest.

There was a solemn promise made to the Scottish people and this should not be reneged upon by linking Scottish devolution to English devolution. The promise was made to Scotland and not England or Wales and Northern Ireland for that matter.

Constitution reform needs to be carefully thought out and it must be agreed upon by the majority of the electorate and its Members of Parliament.

One quick fix solution has been proposed so far but this would lead to disastrous consequences.  This is proposal that Scottish members of the national Union Parliament should be debarred from voting on English only matters. However, English MPs would be allowed the dual function of voting for policy regarding England and policy for the whole of the United Kingdom. This proposal is inherently unfair as there would be a conflict of interests. The national UK Parliament should be a separate body from any devolved Parliament for Scotland, England, Northern Ireland or Wales and MPs should be barred from sitting in  both the Union Parliament and a devolved national Parliament. This will help to prevent England completely dominating policy for the Union in general.

I am of mixed Welsh and English descent and regard myself as completely British and for me it would be a political tragedy if our Union broke up.

However, I can see why Welsh people will be very upset if they see that England or Scotland get an unfair advantage arising out of a lopsided constitutional settlement. The Welsh may feel that they are better off being independent so there would be further  pressure for the Union to break up. And no doubt feelings in Northern Ireland would be similar.

Any constitutional settlement should be equitable so perhaps there should be a fully federal system. One thing is certain; it must be seen to be fair and any promise that is made should be kept. This is no time to worry about how much it might cost either: the future of the British nation is at stake.

There is also another point which advocates for constitutional reform should bear in mind. The Scots and the Welsh are much more in favour of the EU than many English people are. If the whole of the UK votes to withdraw for the EU then Scotland and Wales may wish to retain their membership and this could be another route to the break up of the UK.

The peoples of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland have had plenty of time to think of  the consequences of devolution and now it is time for the English to get their thinking caps on. It is also time for the English to consider whether they really want to face the future without the rest of the UK, because that would be the consequence of not considering the opinions and feelings of  all the British people.