Englander 1

Jack Straw attacks "English votes for English laws," but has no answer to the democratic crisis in England

Christine Constable

Web exclusive: 'England's democratic meltdown' by Christine Constable | Prospect Magazine October 2007 issue 139

Jack Straw’s description of the Conservative policy of “English votes for English laws” as “narrow English nationalism” demonstrates his willingness to adopt the tactics of the playground bully, by replacing intellectual debate with name-calling.

Labour’s partial devolution settlement aimed to ensure that only the Scots voted on Scottish matters and only the Welsh on Welsh matters. This was meant to salve years of rancour caused by the fact that neither Scotland or Wales felt they had democratic control over their own affairs. At the time, Labour politicans were adamant that this was not a matter of “narrow nationalism”; it was an essential requirement of a functioning democracy.

England, by contrast, is in democratic meltdown. For England to find herself with a prime minister whom no one in England has elected, and without an executive or parliament, is an affront to democracy. In a post-devolutionary British state, it is absurd to have ministers managing English departments who have not been elected by the people of England—Douglas Alexander, for example, MP for the Scottish constituency of Paisley and Renfrewshire South, has total control over English transport, yet has no power on transport issues in Scotland.

Simon Lee, in his excellent “Best for Britain?”, comments: “The legacy of the 'British way' is to have denied the citizens of England the liberty for all, responsibility from all and fairness to all that Brown has identified as the defining characteristic of Britishness. The historical and literary example Brown has used to substantiate it actually points towards the possibility of an alternative 'English Way,' based on an inclusive civic identity and a devolved and more plural approach to politics, policy design and resource allocation.” It is the emergence of such an “English way” that so terrifies Labour.

The “bogus Britishness” of Brown and Straw fools no one. It is a cover-up for the indefensible situation England now finds herself in. Straw and Labour are on the back foot. A phoney Britishness won’t stop the emerging English national consciousness, and if he truly wants to preserve the union (rather than break it) then England must have her own parliament within a truly federal United Kingdom.

cassie

HMMmm! Meltdown eh?

What are the symptoms of this 'democratic meltdown'? My dictionary describes meltdown as "a disastrous collapse".

Whilst I very much agree that the constitutional situation in England with its concomitant lack of real democracy is unacceptable, describing it as a disastrous collapse seems to be over-egging the cake somewhat.

The valid case for radical constitutional change in England is not assisted by hyperbole. It will be developed by effecting greater and widespread awareness by the people of England, not by incredible and exaggerated assertions.


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arden forester

I'm a bit piggy in the middle here! I agree in part with Cassie but would hope the points could have been made with less of a barb. Any chance of making up with these EDP members, Cassie?

Englander1, you make the false point about electing Prime Ministers. Nobody in English/British history has directly elected a prime minister. They are only those who can command a majority in the House of Commons. Only the constituents in the prime minister's own constituency can have a direct vote in electing that person as an MP. If you want a presidency, then OK.

I would not say that democracy in England is in meltdown. What we do have is an inequality in the constitutional settlement. We have part-time MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all able to have a say in making laws that only effect England. This is the monstrously unfair aspect of the weaseling way New Labour operates.

As for Gordon Brown's promotion of "Britishness", it's all a bit vulgar and tasteless. The very fact he has to keep going on about it makes me think he knows nothing about it.

When the British Forces recaptured the Falkland Islands, all that was said when the Union Flag was planted on British soil was "God Save the Queen". That told the Argies all they needed to know.

The same was when General Montgomery organised the unconditional surrender of the Germans. "General so-and-so will sign here. General so-and-so will sign here" and, in turn, all four generals there did as they were told. Montgomery then concluded the proceedings with "God Save the King". I think the Germans knew the war was over then!

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cassie

This is an open forum and there really is no need for you to feel that you're 'piggy in the middle' here! You are prefectly entitled to comment as you wish AF.

With all due respect AF, I think any 'barb' in my comments relates to their relevance and validity; otherwise they'd be just plain silly (to use the same direct language against myself) or ineffective to use a more anodyne word.

Your enquiry about 'making up' would be better directed to the EDP ~ again with all due respect. After all, they took action against me, not me against them!

When all is said and done, my comments here are about the issue of a democratic deficiency in England, and not about the author.

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