Test for Government to resolve vital question

THE West Lothian Question refers to issues concerning the ability of MPs from constituencies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to vote on matters which only affect people living in England. This came about due to the devolution of powers from Westminster to the Welsh and Northern Irish Assemblies and the Scottish Parliament.

At least 119 MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are able to vote on important matters, with an often decisive effect on English politics, while they themselves have no say in the same matters in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Democracy begins at home and as such the English public are getting a bad deal. The Welsh people have just voted for greater powers to manage their own affairs and rightly so (Yorkshire Post, March 5).

While I have no objections to the members of the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies and Scottish Parliament having greater powers, I do, however, object to the members from these countries having a vote at Westminster on major legislation affecting the English.

As there are presently three major Bills under consideration which will affect England alone, including student fees, reorganisation of the National Health Service and we shall soon see whether the present Government is sincere in its promises to resolve the West Lothian Question.