The upcoming election to the Westminster assembly is much less important for Scots than for others in the United Kingdom. Much of my daily life is regulated from Edinburgh, and that’s the way it should be. However, as there are areas of my life that are affected by who sits in Westminster, like the elections for the Brussels assembly, I take this one seriously too.
Official electioneering hasn’t yet started but every day we are hearing the so-called leaders (I fail to see much leading) tell us how they will change things come May 7 (or whenever).
We can’t judge until we see the official manifestos, but I get the impression that little will change whoever wins the election, despite contrary claims. Much of the manifestos will be of no interest to Scotland, for example the Tories announced today that they will expand Labour’s Academies policies! Nothing to do with us as, fortunately, we have our own education system.
I thought it would be interesting to have a post on what I... and then we.... would like to see in the manifestos. I expect that David Cameron, Peter Mandleson and Nick Clegg read this blog and the comments avidly, so perhaps we shall effect some change by our efforts.
And as it’s my ball, I’ll take the first kick.... so to speak:
I’d like to see:
Root and branch reform of the Commons, making it smaller reflecting its reduced role, particularly in Celtic poss
essions; looking at salaries and conditions of employment of MPs (fewer holidays, fewer bars and restaurants); considering the role of whips and the strengthening of select committees; considering the introduction of some suitable form of PR. (Scotland would have to lose seats, and I’m happy with that) the setting up of an English parliament;
Abolition of the Lords and consultation about how and indeed IF it should be replaced, possibly including a trial period to see if England can operate without it. Scotland already does;
Selling off most of the BBC, leaving a core service in line with the original intentions of the founders;
An agreement to have a proper consultation about the future of all the Celtic nations and their relationship with England. The current situation is unworkable and the Calman commission, ignoring the possibility of independence in its discussions, was quite plainly the brainchild of a huffy irritable, childish prime minister, determined to stuff the SNP;
Finally (and this will never happen) the setting up a committee to look at the head of state after the death of the Queen. There will be difficulties when Charles becomes King Charles and his wife remains the Duchess of Rothsay, Mrs Parker–Bowles. I would like to see the monarchy abolished, but it’s not likely to happen, however the country cannot have this dysfunctional situation with the King and his “wife”. Additionally we are too poor to support the Windsor hangers-on with palaces and helicopters. It has to be slimmed down.
Not much to ask for is it? I’d be delighted to hear suggestions from others about what they would like to see in the leading parties’ manifestos.
Official electioneering hasn’t yet started but every day we are hearing the so-called leaders (I fail to see much leading) tell us how they will change things come May 7 (or whenever).
We can’t judge until we see the official manifestos, but I get the impression that little will change whoever wins the election, despite contrary claims. Much of the manifestos will be of no interest to Scotland, for example the Tories announced today that they will expand Labour’s Academies policies! Nothing to do with us as, fortunately, we have our own education system.
I thought it would be interesting to have a post on what I... and then we.... would like to see in the manifestos. I expect that David Cameron, Peter Mandleson and Nick Clegg read this blog and the comments avidly, so perhaps we shall effect some change by our efforts.
And as it’s my ball, I’ll take the first kick.... so to speak:
I’d like to see:
Root and branch reform of the Commons, making it smaller reflecting its reduced role, particularly in Celtic poss
essions; looking at salaries and conditions of employment of MPs (fewer holidays, fewer bars and restaurants); considering the role of whips and the strengthening of select committees; considering the introduction of some suitable form of PR. (Scotland would have to lose seats, and I’m happy with that) the setting up of an English parliament;Abolition of the Lords and consultation about how and indeed IF it should be replaced, possibly including a trial period to see if England can operate without it. Scotland already does;
Selling off most of the BBC, leaving a core service in line with the original intentions of the founders;
An agreement to have a proper consultation about the future of all the Celtic nations and their relationship with England. The current situation is unworkable and the Calman commission, ignoring the possibility of independence in its discussions, was quite plainly the brainchild of a huffy irritable, childish prime minister, determined to stuff the SNP;
Finally (and this will never happen) the setting up a committee to look at the head of state after the death of the Queen. There will be difficulties when Charles becomes King Charles and his wife remains the Duchess of Rothsay, Mrs Parker–Bowles. I would like to see the monarchy abolished, but it’s not likely to happen, however the country cannot have this dysfunctional situation with the King and his “wife”. Additionally we are too poor to support the Windsor hangers-on with palaces and helicopters. It has to be slimmed down.
Not much to ask for is it? I’d be delighted to hear suggestions from others about what they would like to see in the leading parties’ manifestos.
........................
