PRESS RELEASE
No Murdo! Keep your nose out of English Business!
Murdo Fraser, the Conservatives’ “Enterprise spokesman” in the Scottish Parliament told Glasgow University on Thursday that devolution to the UK nations must be balanced with greater powers to the English regions.
He claimed it would be “straightforward” to create a federal system for the nations by devolving tax-varying powers but full UK federalism would not work “on the basis of England as a single unit”.
“It is quite possible to envisage a network of strong cities, or city regions, emerging to which powers could be devolved.”
“We can then add into the mix historic counties with a strong local identity, such as Yorkshire or Cornwall.”
“We do have areas such as the North-East or North-West, or East Midlands, which already have a coherent regional identity, and very quickly the map of England is filled up with a patchwork of local units, maybe not identical in geographic size, population or wealth, but all having an identifiable local focus.”
Federalism would also resolve the “West Lothian Question” – the right of non-English MPs to vote on purely English matters – and reform of the Lords, Mr Fraser claims.
According to the Government’s own MacKay Commission Report there is much less support for breaking England up into such “Regions” than for outright English Independence from the UK.
Perhaps Murdo Fraser MSP is promoting this new attempt to break up England for the same reason as the Liberal Democrats, “Charlie” Kennedy told Dunfermline Lib Dems in 1999 that he supported Regionalisation for England because it was “bringing into question the idea of England itself!”
Robin Tilbrook, the Chairman of the English Democrats said:- “We don’t want Scottish politicians telling the English that England should be broken up. My message to any such Scottish politicians is keep your nose out of English business.”
Robin continued:- “The sooner the UK is dissolved the quicker the Nations of the former UK can live as friendly neighbours!”
Robin also said:- “Dissolution of the UK is why the English Democrats are supporting a ‘YES’ vote for Scotland on the 18th September. Mr Murdo Fraser claims that “UK federalism would not work on the basis of England as a single unit”. I say ‘so be it’! Let’s dissolve a Union which is in any case well past its sell by date!”
Robin Tilbrook
Chairman,
The English Democrats