Devolution expert Gerald Holtham hypothesis that the creation of an English Parliament would lead to end of the United Kingdom,
Mr Holtham predicted that a stand-off between a prime minister for the UK and one for England would prompt the demise of the union.
Speaking at a devolution conference at the British Academy, he compared the scenario to the final days of the Soviet Union, saying:
“The demand for an English Parliament is essentially [Yeltsin’s] demand to Gorbachev: We want the Russian Federation; once the Russian Federation exists the Soviet Union is finished. And that is an exact parallel.“The first prime minister of England will be Yeltsin to the UK prime minister’s Gorbachev. The union will be finished.”
It is an interesting idea and highlights the problem of a Federal Union in which one member England wilt still be dominant and would find it difficult that Wales and Scotland for example would be equal partners.
We must also to note that despite The Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542 () ere parliamentary measures by which Wales became a full and equal part of the Kingdom of England and the legal system of England was extended to Wales and the norms of English administration introduced. The intention was to create a single state and legal jurisdiction. we are not legally English Citizens but that of the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, since Scotland and Ireland were brought in.
Other National movements Basques and Catalans (Spain) ,Bretons (France ) and Quebecois are currently Citizens of a state which eve if they were to leave would still keeps its name. Indeed the term Spanish for Instance could have the same meaning as Scandinavian
Even during the Scottish Independence Referendum there was little debate of what UK and NI would call itself . The Union in effect would have been dissolved . Former United Kingdom (FUK) would have unfortunate consequences
Of course the term British could be used, but that refers to the whole of these Islands
So comparisons with Russia which dominated the former USSR and England which dominated the UK are not so fanciful.
Take Trident. In a Union of Equals the election of 56 out of 59 SNP would be a mandate for removing these missiles from Scottish Soil . Even if the Welsh and Northern Island MPs backed them (some chance) English MPs would block it it
Even a Federal Parliament in which members were elected by population . England would still dominate 'a Federal Parliament.
A federal Parliament in which the Regions of England had dissolved Parliament would be more legitimate and Cornwall would have to be one of these.
It maybe that the creation of movements like Yorkshire First may help to create devolution in England.
Indeed even if we were to leave it should happen but the creation of an English Parliament or the idea of English Votes for English Laws (EVEL another unfortunate acronym ) may not address the "English Question" but show we are not in a "Union of Equals" and its time has gone.
Other National movements Basques and Catalans (Spain) ,Bretons (France ) and Quebecois are currently Citizens of a state which eve if they were to leave would still keeps its name. Indeed the term Spanish for Instance could have the same meaning as Scandinavian
Even during the Scottish Independence Referendum there was little debate of what UK and NI would call itself . The Union in effect would have been dissolved . Former United Kingdom (FUK) would have unfortunate consequences
Of course the term British could be used, but that refers to the whole of these Islands
So comparisons with Russia which dominated the former USSR and England which dominated the UK are not so fanciful.
Take Trident. In a Union of Equals the election of 56 out of 59 SNP would be a mandate for removing these missiles from Scottish Soil . Even if the Welsh and Northern Island MPs backed them (some chance) English MPs would block it it
Even a Federal Parliament in which members were elected by population . England would still dominate 'a Federal Parliament.
A federal Parliament in which the Regions of England had dissolved Parliament would be more legitimate and Cornwall would have to be one of these.
It maybe that the creation of movements like Yorkshire First may help to create devolution in England.
Indeed even if we were to leave it should happen but the creation of an English Parliament or the idea of English Votes for English Laws (EVEL another unfortunate acronym ) may not address the "English Question" but show we are not in a "Union of Equals" and its time has gone.
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