What is the current Tory policy on devolution, and importantly for us, regional government? We are witnessing in Scotland the end-game for the Union as we know it. The Scottish Nationalists (SNP) are taking full advantage of Labour incompetence in Scotland, cementing the process that Brown and Blair started back in 1997.
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Their opportunistic policy of Scottish devolution has come back to haunt them. The elephant in the room - English devolution.
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Scottish MPs can vote on english matters in Parliament, but English MPs are naturally barred from the Scottish and Welsh executives. English support for a devoloved parliament of their own appears strong, according to an Ipsos MORI poll commissioned by 'The English Consitutional Convention'. 41% polled supported an English parliament. The Scottish vote that led to the creation of the Scottish parliament carried with only 44% in favour.
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Local Tories have traditionally voted against independant government for the South West, deafeating Liberal MPs in the recent Cornish devolution battle. But the issue of English devolution is quickly overtaking sluggish Tory policy. I can only see a fudged compromise, excluding Scottish MPs from voting on English issues at Westminster, saving the Conservatives from the irony of a campaign to end the present Union themselves.
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