WE live in different times, in constitutional and other ways, from the 1980s. However, some of the recent comments of Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons, caught my eye. He said that “laws could not be imposed on England without the consent of English MPs (“Evel block on votes of Scots MPs ‘puts UK under threat’”, The Herald, October 23).
I was reminded of the years when Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister (1979-90). For the Conservatives those years, in terms of representation from Scotland in the House of Commons, were vastly different from the heady days when in 1955 the Conservatives/Unionists won most seats in Scotland. At the 1979 General Election they had 22 out of 72. At the General Elections in 1983, 1987 and 1992 the number of their MPs reduced substantially until in 1997 it became zero.
In spite of what can be construed as a democratic deficit, Scotland was subjected to the free market policies of the Thatcher-led Tory Government, which included the Community Charge (otherwise known as the poll tax) being inflicted on Scotland before England and Wales. She and her policies became so unpopular in Scotland that she, when Prime Minister, was booed when she inadvisably attended a Scottish Cup Final.
The Scots , therefore, have had some experience in the comparatively recent past , albeit at a different point in time in relation to the state of the constitution, of policies being imposed without the consent of Scottish MPs.
Ian W Thomson,
38 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie.
I DO not know if SNP spokesman Pete Wishart is right in his claim that all Evel does is enhance the case for independence but the feedback I get from Scottish friends long-time resident in England is that neighbours and contacts at work are becoming heartily sick of what they perceive as continual grievance and carping by the independence movement and in the event of a second referendum there would be less support for continued union and the message might be "have it and hell mend you".
So Mr Wishart and campaigners may be in line for some unexpected support.
R Russell Smith,
96 Milton Road, Kiilbirnie.
SO, no more Scottish MPs voting on English-only issues. What is the future for Better Together? Has it become redundant?
Catriona C Clark,
52 Hawthorn Drive, Banknock, Falkirk.
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