September 29 2014

Ed’s Silence says it all

Ed Miliband, by his own admission ‘forgot’ to mention immigration and the deficit in his Conference speech. You may have noticed that he also forgot English voters altogether by seeking to ignore the big question left over from the Scottish referendum namely, ‘why do Scottish MPs vote on English only issues?’

The last Conservative Manifesto promised ‘English votes for English laws’ and circumstances have now brought about the perfect time to honour this commitment.

On 11th September this exchange took place in the House of Commons

Martin Vickers: The Government has understandably indicated that, if the Scottish people vote no, proposals will be introduced for further devolution to the Scottish Parliament within days. That will increase the concerns of my constituents and others in England that we are being treated less favourably than people in other parts of the UK. Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that an early statement will be made on how the Government intend to meet the aspirations of the English people and devolve further powers within England?

William Hague: The decision next week is a matter for the people of Scotland, but its implications will be felt across the UK. We have a good record of devolving powers, as we have to Wales or, through the Localism Act 2011, to local authorities. We are a flexible and adaptable Union—that is one of the great strengths of the United Kingdom. That must take account of the people of England as well. As proposals come forward on Scotland over the coming months, there must be every opportunity to debate the implications for England.

As you would expect a week ahead of the vote William Hague played a straight bat, but within an hour of the formal declaration that the Union was safe the Prime Minister was on the steps of Downing Street making clear that the Conservatives will move to prevent Scottish MPs voting on English-only legislation.

I don’t claim that I alone prompted the Prime Minister’s response just one week after my question but I was one of many backbenchers urging David Cameron to do exactly what he did by stating quite clearly that the English issue must be dealt with alongside granting more powers to the Scottish Parliament. This is yet another example of the importance of being part of one of the large party groups at Westminster that I mentioned in my column a couple of weeks ago.

‘English votes for English Laws’ is one simple part of the post-referendum settlement that can be introduced quickly and simply. Following from that we need more devolution to more powerful unitary councils headed by an elected mayor. Elected mayors are the equivalent of a directly-elected leader of the council. The Chris Shaw’s of this world should be elected directly by voters rather than emerge from a closed meeting of the Labour Party.

Back to Ed Miliband’s big omission; come next May it is the economy that will determine the outcome of the Election and the alternative prime minister forgets to address it in his last big Conference Speech before polling day.

Though the economy is improving households remain hard-pressed but it’s worth noting that disposable income is increasing. As the Asda Income Tracker published last week states:

   

The average UK household had £173 a week of discretionary income in July 2014, up by £3 a week on the same month a year before and coming close to the all time high of £174 in January 2010.

The improvement is slower than we would all like but stability and prosperity are returning.

I write just before the debate on Iraq gets underway; once again we risk being dragged into a Middle-Eastern conflict. That said the motion to be debated is very narrowly worded limiting the Government’s actions – rightly so.