Originally Posted by david H

From 'man in a shed'

Is Gordon planning on stealing the next election?
I spent today at the campaign for an English Parliament's "The Future of England" conference. Possibly the date of the last Saturday before local elections was not the best timing for members of the main parties to attend by the way.

Top billing was given to Frank Field MP, however it turned out that - according to his office - he has been in hospital and was not able attend (get well soon Frank !) . However Simon Hughes MP was able to step in at the last minute.

Simon Hughes started of by reporting that some Conservative MPs are now referring to Frank Field as the Prime Minster ( I bet Gordon loves that ! ). But then it started to go down hill. He decided to talk about likely constitutional changes and how the campaign for an English parliament could best respond - reasonable enough you might say.

But then he outlines the likely developments ( clearly from what the Lib Dems have been told ) as follows:

1) The AV voting system to be introduced for the next general election.
2) The house of Lords to be replaced by a Senate, with 80%+ elected in thirds for only one term.
3) Labour to move forward on the abolishing England British regions ploy - backing the appointment of regional ministers with regional committees - the sticking point being who whether the committee make up should reflect local political make up. ( Can you believe Labour think they should have a majority on every committee ? My guess this is a negotiating position which also serves the purpose of moving beyond the question of should there be regions, into negotiating their administration.

I have to say the reaction of the audience was very hostile. People were outraged that the constitution is being reorganised solely for the benefit of the political class and without asking the population - and specifically for the benefit of the Labour party and its Scottish ministers.

Simon Highes has in the past and did on this occasion offer support for an English Parliament. But we all know Gordon Brown's British regions agenda is designed to stop that ever happening.

He also made the mistake of talking about MP's salaries and the cost of any parliament. Clearly MPs are rattled about costs and expenses, but such an audience just doesn't want to hear talk about how English and Scottish Mps should be paid if only the English have to cover English matters and UK matters.

I don't think the audience who attended is by any means a normal cross section of English society, but I have to report the anti-politician and specifically growing hatred of the professional politician is growing.

But most important of all - is Gordon Brown to be allowed to steal the next election and then to dismember England?