Wednesday, May 16, 2007

The politics of nationalism

As Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond is named as first minister of the Scottish Assembly, Conservative party leader David Cameron makes a call for MPs elected by constituencies in England to have the sole preserve over voting on issues that effect England and so ensuring that Scottish MPs do not have undue influence over other members of the UK. There are various debates on the effects upon the union, and of course the role of Westminster and whether it would be perceived as an English parliament; however there is an additional interesting factor here. Imagine that this is passed, while also Gordon Brown becomes Prime Minister. As MP for Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath he would set out policy for the whole of the UK but on aspects that related simply to England; so education, crime, the judiciary, he would be unable to vote. I wonder if Mr Cameron thought of this when making this call?

No comments: