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Thursday September 4th - LIVE Online forum with Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland's Political Editor.

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"West Lothian Question" albeit that it affects varying parts of the Nation. In the current parliament the South of England still has a very clear Conservative majority with a Labour Government in the same way as Scotland has experienced a Conservative Government for 18 years.

It is my belief that as a single nation the entire electorate should have the right to express their opinion, devolution of Scotland, Wales, possibly Northern Ireland may lead to other clearly identified areas making the same demands (e.g. Cornwall ) these decisions will have an impact upon all other parts of the union.

Malcolm Chewter



Opponents of devolution produce the so-called West Lothian question, yet fail to realise that the UK constitution must take into account the extraordinary diversity within these islands. Scotland has its own legal system, yet does not currently have its own legislature. The result is that desirable law reforms proposed by the Scottish Law Commission and others often fail to reach the statute book. Is Scottish Question Time once a month at Westminster really sufficient scrutiny?

Other critics suggest that devolution will lead to the break-up of the UK. This will only happen if the people want it to happen. Ireland went straight from being part of the UK to independence in 1922 without devolution. The Isle of Man has been under the British Crown since 1765, with its own legislature, yet shows no sign of wishing to break all remaining ties - such as defence, currency and foreign affairs.

Yours sincerely,
Matthew Ross
Edinburgh.



 
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