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And just to prove how difficult this all is, the payment of tuition fees is not a devolution issue per se, rather one of the Government failing to ensure that parity is maintained across the UK. I have no issue whatsoever with subsidising Scottish students, but I do have a real issue with that benefit not being extended to UK students in England, Wales and NI.
All the devolved parliaments should have tax raising powers and there should be NO funding from the centre. If the Scots, Welsh and NI want their own assembly, fine, but they must pay for it. Of course that opens a whole new can of worms.
For once I think Alexander is totally right and I also like Barry's suggestions regarding how we deal with England.
And so it goes on. Weak-kneed government, giving in to nationalist pressure has caused, and will continue to cause, unnecessary stresses and strains the UK really doesn't need. The UK took centuries to knit together and in the blinking of an eye New Labour has almost destroyed a unique arrangement and allowed old arguments and selfish nationalism to raise its head. We may pay a heavy price for this yet.
Anyway, I don't really understand fixed term parliaments, how is that different to now? We shouldn't put ourselves into a situation where a failing government (Heath for example) continues regardless. If they get it wrong we need the right to get rid of them, whatever colour rosette they wear. At the moment this sounds more like job protection for the boys rather than a democratic strengthening of our legislature.
Numbers of MP's in the HoC. Well, I agree with evening out the constituencies as has been done in other countries and lowering the number of MP's. But that change must also include a drastic reduction in parliamentary backroom staff too. And why stop there? KCC for example is hugely expensive as I am sure the others are, therefore I would like to see a big focus on shrinking the number of politicos and civil servants right down through County, District, Town and Parish levels. There are just too many people interfering with our lives.
Turning to the House of Lords.
I reckon those peers who inherited their seats should be allowed to "sit them out", and, once they've shuffled off this mortal coil, the right to sit in the Lords should be withdrawn. I don't agree with an "appointed" system as that will lead to political parties forcing their cronies on us and then the chamber will become nothing more than a rubber stamp, which would be a big mistake.
I think there should be a pre-defined number of Lords who sit in an upper chamber, and they (the peers) should decide who their representatives are. I have no issue with Lords whatsoever, just their right to sit because great great grand-daddy screwed the French (again). Our nation has a tradition of rewarding exceptional service for the country with peerages and this should continue. However, being given a peerage should not entitle someone to sit in judgement over the rest of us. So, I propose the peers themselves select the team. I don't particularly want to vote for members of a second/upper chamber.
Those are my early thoughts and I reserve the right to stray from the opinions expressed.
