The Social Democratic Party calls for an English Parliament.

As a former member of the Campaign for an English Parliament I was interested to come across the Social Democratic Party website and find that the party is also in favour of an English Parliament.  I found the SDP’s 2019 policy statement on the constitution makes very interesting reading.

It calls for an English Parliament outside the no longer English city of London, and the abolition of that over indulged institution - the House of Lords.  All elections should be held using proportional representation – much more democratic than the system currently in operation. They call for a Bill of Rights reflecting national culture, custom and traditions – I hope freedom of speech is included and given the prominence it needs and deserves. No public employee should be paid more than the Prime Minister – a much needed rule considering the vast salaries paid to those in local government administration, and the BBC.  

I hope the SDP will not mind me reproducing below their policy statement covering the constitution.  I give it 7 out of 8!

An English Parliament will be established outside London. Bids from cities in the Midlands and the North wishing to host it will be invited.

The Parliaments of England, Wales and Scotland will have powers equivalent to, or greater than, those of the current Scottish Parliament.

All public elections in the UK will be conducted under proportional representation to ensure that legislatures better reflect public opinion.

The House of Lords will be abolished.

The UK Westminster Parliament will become unicameral.  The House of Commons will have responsibility for matters affecting the whole of the UK such as foreign policy, defence, national security, and immigration.

The House of Commons will be reformed so as to increase the power of individual MP’s in relation to the government.  Select Committees will be given more power and there will be more free votes to reduce the stranglehold of the whips.

A British Bill of Rights will be introduced which reflects national culture, custom and traditions.

No public sector employee should be paid more than the Prime Minister.  Going forward, all new local government and quango employment contracts shall be subject to this limit.