BS: Scots impose regime on England

Subject: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 03:29 AM

The issue is the unpopular Foundation Hospitals idea.
In their own parliament the Scots rejected it for themselves.
Then, in the UK parliament, Scottish MPs overturned a majority of English MPs who opposed it, even though the vote only effected the English.
Something else for proud Edward's army to think about.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,Teribus
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 03:47 AM

Aye Keith,

When the devolution thing came up during the Tony Blair's drive for "cool-Britannia". The one thing they (The Labour Party) made certain of was that the number of MP's sitting in the House of Commons representing Scottish constituents stayed pretty much the same.

Labour MP's returned for seats in Scotland and Wales have been one of the mainstays of the Labour Party since the turn of last century.

You are perfectly correct of course Scottish MP's at Westminster should have no say whatsoever in matters that effect only England and Wales.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: greg stephens
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 06:06 AM

Try explaining the precise nature of Great Britain and Ireland's constitutional arrangements to an interested observer...say an American mudcatter. Where would we start?? I give up.
   This current controversy certainly highlights one of the most amazing things: yes, why can Scottish MPs vote on purely English and Welsh matters, but English and Welsh MPs cant vote on Scottih ones? there must be a reason somewhere, but exactly what that reason is is a little difficult to grasp. (just to be precise by "Scottish MPs" I mean (in this context) members sitting for Scottish constituencies: not Scottish people who are members of the House of Commons, a completely different category!!)

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 07:24 AM

You whinging Anglos still going on about the Lothian question, when are you going to give it a rest

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 07:29 AM

I agree that Scottish MPs should probably abstain in Westminster on those matters which have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and some have stated clearly that they will abstain in such circumstances. Where they do not do so (perhaps because they regard the issue as being so important they should take any opportunity to influence it), I do not believe it should be a matter for complaint from MPs for constituencies in England (or Wales or Northern Ireland). After all, the current constitutional arrangement permits it - if there is sufficient will to change this, let an English (and a Welsh) parliament be set up to deal with devolved matters. Better still, let Scotland do its own thing altogether and remove all the pesky Jocks from Westminster.

wr

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 07:32 AM

sounds just the same as what the English have been doing to the Scots for generations!

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 08:07 AM

...and what if a member for a Scottish constituency is a member of the Cabinet with a crucial say in deciding what legislation is to go before Parliament: is he then to abstain on that legislation?

What if that same member is the Prime Minister?

Chuck them all out, I say.

wr

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 08:46 AM

Is math sin! Seas an coir!

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,Keith A at work
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 02:48 AM

It's about to happen again.
Top up fees for university students, thrown out by Scottish Parliament for Scotland, is likely to be imposed here with the vote decided by Scottish MPs.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Gurney
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 05:09 AM

The whole democratic type of government in the world was imposed by the Scots on England, and thence to all the other democratic countries.

Mind you, it was mostly because the English reacted to the shit Scottish kings that they sent to London long ago, and slowly formed the Westminster System of government, so if you believe in free speech, be thankful for small mercies. Pothings nerfect.
Just feeling mischievous late at night.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 05:22 AM

At the risk of repeating myself, if any English people are unhappy with the current arrangement the solution is dead simple: cut the Jocks loose altogether.

wr

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Arnie
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 05:45 AM

weerover - cut the Jocks loose altogether? But I just love the Gov't sending a bit of my taxes north of the border to support free Uni education, higher standards of care for Scottish elderly etc. etc..I'm afraid that Scottish tax revenues alone would not support the various initiatives taken by the Scottish parliament so the rest of us will continue to subsidise our Caledonian friends' generous treatment of old folk and students north of the border. Some hope of the Gov't introducing the same measures here but I think the Scots are showing us the way on this - even at our expense!

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 06:22 AM

The point is there isn't a separate English Parliament, whereas there is a separate Scottish one. If the English wanted one there is nothing to stop them insisting on it. Until they do they are stuck with a Parliament where all members for all parts of the "United Kingdom" have an equal vote.

After all, so far as I am aware, when there wasn't a Scottish Parliament English MPs didn't abstain on issues that affected only Scotland. Notoriously the Poll Tax was imposed on Scotland as a trial run, before it was imposed on England, agains the votes of the mass of Scottish MPs.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 09:33 AM

Come the revolution comrades, hang all the lawyers first.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 09:40 AM

Let us not forget McGrath the poll tax in Scotland was introduced as a punishment on the Scots by the great bitch queen thatcher because they democraticly voted out all the Scots tory MPs and it was a tory government with a big majority.
Why is it I still get angry about her.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 09:51 AM

Because she was like George W, except she was smart and engaged. The bile rises each time I think of her, and I am not even a citizen of the UK.

Back to lurking on this very interesting thread.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 12:10 PM

Lots of thoughts on this one, there's the fact that the Scots regiments being mostly infantry, paid more than their fair share in the body count in previous wars, so perhaps they're owed. Then there's the fact that historically there were only two classes in Scotland, working, and ruling. This was a fine recipe for Socialism and it was perpetuated by the English as a means of keeping the unruly Celt in his place, so that is where the strength of the Labour vote originates in Scotland. Tony Blair [a Scot] is very gratefull for this fact, and the token devolution that exists now is Labour's way of keeping the bolshie Scots Labour MPS quiet, and neutralising the SNP at the same time. On the question of subsidies from England, I'm not sure that apart from the fiasco called the new Scottish parliament building, we cost the English money. Tourism, oil, and whisky alone generate many billions of pounds in Scotland, and if we got the benefit of the taxes raised, we'd be quite well off.
Of course there's also all the money to be raised from the issuing of visitor's visas!!
John

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Strupag
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 07:23 PM

I think the reason for the English not wanting devolution is that fact that they see British as being English.
To illustrate this mindset, all we have to look at is national institutions.
We have the FA in England and the SFA in Scotland. We have the Labour Party and the Scottish labour party. We have the TUC and the STUC, BBC and BBC Scotland. I could go on indefinately but (apart from Folk Music) I don't see many "English" bodies.
I personally would like to see both Scots and English have fiscal and legislative autonomy and we would have only ourselves to blame (or praise) for our respective welfares.
I also think it would make us better neighbours rather than always sniping at each other.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: akenaton
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 07:36 PM

Strupag..It would be difficult splitting up now ,as half of the English population now seems to live in the Scottish highlands.
They sell their houses in the south of England and move up here ,inflating the price of property and making it impossible for our own young folk to get a house at a price they can afford.
Unfortunately they also bring their suburban mentality to the wilderness ,which is sad for natives like me ...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 08:33 PM

English Folk Dance and Song Society.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,Teribus
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 08:55 PM

In England it's the FA because they invented the game called soccer. There is however an English Rugby Union, Scottish RU, Welsh RU and Irish RU. Which is odd for the English invented that game as well.

In golf there is no British Open, the major based in the British Isles is simply called "The Open", probably because it was the first, there is an English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish Open.

I can remember having a chat to an English Nationalist (as distinct from BNP) who reckoned that with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales cut loose, and with none of their representatives in Westminster, England would be a damn sight better off and it would never have to suffer another Labour Government.

Couple of good points made there Kevin.

Akenaton - I would say that the flow of population would suggest that more Scots move down to England than vice-versa and on the last count the population of Scotland was falling. So stick it out mate, prices will start falling soon enough, especially if the SNP get in.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: akenaton
Date: 12 Jan 04 - 09:13 PM

Aye very funny T...Seriously the land round here is being built up at an alarming rate,financed by English people mainly,looking for peace and isolation,all self defeating of course.
As iv said before the SNP will never get power in scotland,too much senseless sectarianism......Best Wishes Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 09:13 AM

I agree with Guest Noddy, and The SNP MP's don't vote on anytihng that has to do with England or Wales.

Tom frae Scotland.

if the SNP believe in sectarinism, then why do they allow English and other people of different races, and faiths join the party.

That's all I have to say on the matter.

Tom frae Saltcoats Scotland

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 10:50 AM

"if the SNP believe in sectarinism, then why do they allow English and other people of different races, and faiths join the party."

They'd be bloody lonely if they didn't

That's all I have to say on the matter.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 12:06 PM

But they don't believe in sectarinism, so people do believe that they do, and unlike you I don't hide behind 'guest'.
That's all I have to on the matter.
Let's agree to disagree, because I don't want to get involved in an argument, just people want to start one.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 12:26 PM

In unity there is strength.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 12:31 PM

I'm all for going back to the Heptarchy.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 12:33 PM

Ake, your countrymen have been emigrating to just about everywhere, including England, for centuries and we've had to put up with virtually every industrial dispute in the UK being led by some bolshie loud-mouthed Jock.

If every Scotsman who's left Scotland (and then perversely spent the bulk of his time trumpetting about what a bloody marvellous place it is) decided to move back, Scotland would capsize and sink under the weight.

As a matter of fact, Scotland IS a bloody marvellous place - that's why us English have the sense to go there (unlike you Scots who can't wait to get away!) :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: akenaton
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 01:27 PM

Sassenach bastards ,and Tam the Nutter....
The sectarianism I referred to earlier,is not within the Scottish National Party ,but within the population of Scotland itself.
There is still, in the Scottish people a deep historical sectarianism.
In much the same fashon as Northern Ireland,the Scots have been hoodwinked by politicians playing the "religion card".
This sectarianism is thoughout all stratas of society, but working class or ex working class areas seem to be worst affected.
The biggest obstacle to unity, and power for the SNP is this sectarianism,and personally ,I think they will find it impossible to overcome.
I could go on and answer all your facitious arguments on immigration and emmigration,but I cant be arsed...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 01:37 PM

"Sectarian" is about religion, not about nationality. And there's a fair amount of it about too, of the same variety as you find in Northern Ireland.

But, from what I've heard, it's not as prevalent among the SNP supporters as it is among some people who are against them.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: akenaton
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 01:46 PM

Your quite right McGrath, the Scottish Labour Party and the Conservatives both use religion as a tool of manipulation,to a much greater extent than the Nats.
The real problem for the SNP is changing the way people think....Ake

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 13 Jan 04 - 09:47 PM

I'm a true born Yorkshire man, my mother's sister married a Scotsman
and I married a Scotswoman, Scotland has been and always will be Englands poorer cousin until they shake off the shackles and truly become a nation once again.
eric the tartan

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Gurney
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 06:08 AM

Strupag, I'll have to think about that one. "England thinks British is English because there is a Labour Party, while Scotland has a Scottish Labour Party?"

How do they have the cheek to call it a labour party anyway. Has any Labour politician alive ever been a card-carrying member of a trade union? Not here in NZ, anyway.

And as for cutting Scotland loose, I thought the Great Caledonian Canal was doing that already, several inches every year. Just 5 million years and it collides with Ireland.
Perhaps a geologist can give us corrected figures?

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 07:12 AM

If it relavent, several of our current labour MPs are trade union members, including that oaf John Prescott.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 07:15 AM

More precisely, MC Fat, it's the West Lothian question, so called because that is the name of the constituency held by Tam Dalyell, who first posed it. In broad terms the question is: how can it be right that MPs representing Scottish constituencies can vote on legislation that affects only England, when MPs in English consitituencies are allowed no say in legislation affecting only Scotland?

It is indeed an absurdity. The more so, because Scotland has 72 MPs in the UK parliament whereas its pro-rata entitlement would be nearer 50. It should in fact be less again, since significant responsibilities have been devolved to the Scottish (sub) parliament.
I believe some Scottish MPs have suggested that any such reduction should follow only after the Scottish parliament has "bedded down." It has already had several years in which to bed down.

I'm not sure that there's much in John McKenzie's point that Scotland "is owed." It may indeed be owed, but I don't see how any debt is repaid by allowing Scottish MPs a deciding voice on legislation for foundation trusts and higher-education fees that will not apply in Scotland. The only beneficiary of this arrangement is the (governing) Labour Party. If the Tories (who hold just one of those 72 seats in Scotland) ever regain power, they would be utterly mad to allow the "West Lothian question" drift unanswered.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,Keith A working
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 08:03 AM

The Tories are being perfidious here. Howard has said that his one Scottish MP will not vote on tuition fees, on principle.
When the Tories were in power, Ulster Unionists often could decide a vote . I recall that the Sunday Trading legislation was got through only because they supported it, and it did not apply in N.I.
Keith

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 08:09 AM

It's odd in view of the fact that Tam Dalyell has announced his intention to stand down at the next election, that we should be discussing the West Lothian question. It is unanswerable in logic, but will remain in fact a reality of Labour party politics, as they rely so much on Scotland for their [too] large parliamentary majority. The being owed comment was a bit tongue in cheek I admit, although the general point regarding the high attrition rate of Scots infantry regiments [when we had a few]is a matter of record. Tam Dalyell has always been to me an oddity, in representing a very Scottish constituency, while speaking with a very English accent. When Winnie Ewing became the first scot Nat MP in winning the Hamilton by election way back when, the MP who was nastiest to her in the house of commons was the aforementioned Tam Dayell, who apparently went out of his way to make her life miserable. Because he was so mean and ungallant to her I have never liked him. I went to Glenlee Primary Scool in Burnbank with the redoubtable Margo MacDonald sometime Scot Nat MP for Govan, and now largely disinherited by her party, and thus I too became an SNP supporter. I admit however until we find a party leader who has not had a charisma bypass operation, we stand little chance of governing Scotland.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Pied Piper
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 08:45 AM

"Sassenach bastards"
Would you like it if we referred to you as an Albanach bastard?
I assume that you are a native Gaelic speaker and therefore actually Irish.
The English-speaking majority of Scotland are equally Sassenach.
When you Irish invaded northern Britain you destroyed Pictish and Brythonic Celtic culture and imposed your language at the point of a sword.
This happened a long time ago but the phenomena of the Scottish nation state is much more recent.
The Scottish regiments were the cannon fodder of the British however in WW2 most of the soldiers were from northern England not Scotland.

TTFN
PP

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 09:23 AM

Sasonach is I believe the Irish version of the word.
I alway understood the word to be derived from the Gaelic for stranger or Saxon, I have come across the expression "sassen dearg" meaning foreign soldier, which Gaelic tongue it comes from I don't know.
John

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 11:12 AM

The only thing that stops English MPs voting on a range of specifically Scottish issues is because there is a Scottish Parliament.

It is entirely logical that all members of the UK parliament have the right to vote on matters dealt with by that parliament. There isn't an English Parliament, so that includes various matters that would be the concern of such a parliament, if it existed.

Pays your money and you takes your choice.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 11:12 AM

I understand now thank you for clearing that up for me.

Tom frae Saltcoats Scotland

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 03:23 PM

McGrath has it in a nutshell. If you have Scots MPs at Westminster, they must have exactly the same voting rights as English MPs; therefore accept the situation, campaign for an English parliament, or hand Scotland independence.

wr.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Gareth
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 07:09 PM

Ah Yes, but is England capable of self Governement ? Personally I would say no.

Mind you I fail to understand the logic in the Welsh Nats point of view - "Independace for Wales - Providing the English Tax Payer will pay for it"

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 04:48 AM

Perhaps pied piper could do that trick that he did in Hamlin with the rats, only this time with Scots MPs in the English government.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 09:30 AM

Eric,

What English government? No such entity currently exists (constitutionally at any rate)

wr.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 11:21 AM

Alba gu brath!!

John

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 12:01 PM

Couldn't agree more John, incidentally my wife used to live in Burnbank.

wr.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Raedwulf
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 04:56 PM

As Kevin points out, Sassenach is indeed celtic (generic) for foreigner. In the same way, Welsh is germanic (generic) 'foreigner'. Saxon derives from Sassenach (in Welsh, I believe it's something like 'Saesnaeg'), & there is no record whatsoever of the Engles using the term to describe themselves.

Johnny - I nearly fell off my chair laughing, & you're likely right too!

Ake - speaking as a Sassenach bastard who's crossed words with you before ;), in all seriousness, Johnny probably is right. I'm London born & bred & there's a hell of your lot knocking around dahn 'ere! Along with Irish, Welsh, Geordies, Scousers, Mankies, etc, etc, etc... It's human nature, I'm afraid - the grass is always greener! You've got something us rich southern gits want (space & peace), we've got something you miserly northern gits want (the opportunity to earn a lot more - it's just that living here costs a lot more... :( ). You are wrong to attribute it to racial or national origins. If the capital of the UK was Edinburgh, we'd likely all be flooding north & the situation would be reversed... Count yer blessings! ;)

Giok (I know, but it's easier) - I hope the comment about the body count was tongue-in-cheek too. There are plenty of English, Welsh & Irish (never mind ANZAC & Canadian since WWI) regiments with a high casualty rate too. The fact of the matter is that a 'savage' landscape breeds a 'savage' mentality, which is the military ideal in many respects. If Scots (or any other label) have suffered more than the average, it's not because they were {label of your choice}, it's because they fitted the requirements of the generals better than any other {label} did!

As for the rest of it, I can only agree. I don't think regional parliaments are the way to go, but I am far more unhappy with the biased, self-interested, & confrontational political system with which we are all stuck. No way should celtic MP's be voting on matters that affect the English when the reverse is now impossible.

But Labour won't change it, & if the Tories ever do, it won't be from a sense of justice, it'll be from exactly the same sense of self-interest...

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 05:44 PM

"No way should celtic MP's be voting on matters.." Raedwulf - are under the impression that Scotland is "Celtic"? Got a few Gaelic speakers,I grant you, and people whose ancestors used to speak Gaelic, but they are a minority.

Incidentally it was "John MacKenzie formerly known as Giok" who said about Sassenach meaning foreigner, not me. I've always understood it as meaning a native of "Sasana", otherwise know as "England" (but called "Saxon Land" rather than "Angle Land")

If the English want to change the constitutional arrangements which mean there isn't an English Parliament, that's entirely up to the English. But it seems a bit absurd to seek to imply that it is somehow the doing of neighbours from the neighbouring countries.

Subject: RE: BS: Scots impose regime on England
From: Raedwulf
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 06:13 PM

McG - I was under the impression that all of the celts had their own assemblies? I admit to not knowing the intricacies of the arrangements - does Westminster still have the power to decide what happens in Wales & Ulster then?

As to Sassenach, I can only :o, but my point remains even though I blush! ;)

As to whether the English can change their own governmental arrangements, may I suggest that you display a naivety surprising in a cynical old sod? ;) The English will only be able to change their arrangements if it suits the powers that be. Exactly the same as the celts only got their own assemblies because the Powers thought it was a vote winner.

As to "seek to imply that..." I don't believe I implied anything. My complaint, as many others, is that the Scots (& presumably Welsh & Ulster, subject to correction) get to interfere in English affairs, whilst we have no power over them. What's worse is that this interference isn't even of any interest to them - it's simply a matter of party political manipulation & reflects nothing whatsoever on the interests of the people affected! Is this equitable? I think not...