A straw in the wind? A cloud on the horizon no bigger than a man’s fist but growing as it approaches into a violent storm? In the course of this week MPs have begun to question the outcomes for England of the 1998 devolution legislation as its unfairness to England finally becomes crystal clear. ‘Several Conservative MPs –Mark Field (Westminster), David Davies (Monmouth), Sarah Wollaston (Totnes), Harriet Baldwin (Worcerstershire), Mark Harper (Forest of Dean) –  have all issued warnings about the impact of devolution on England and made the allegation that the English are subsidizing public services in Scotland and in Wales’.

The issues they have raised include the one now universally called the West Lothian Question. It is what the Labour MP Paul Murphy has described as a ‘lack of representation for England’. What he, and they, are referring to is the constitutional injustice, and absurdity, that Welsh and Scottish MPs can votes on all English matters as they come before the UK Parliament such as health, education, local government,  to name but three, while no English MPs can votes on those same matters as they effect Scotland and Wales. ‘It is important we deal with these issues, so that we can keep our United Kingdom together.’ Mr Harper, the Constitutional Affair Minister has publicly stated. ‘If ever the United Kingdom is threatened, it’s the resentment of English voters that will threaten it’.’.

Sarah Wollaston MP has taken the issue even further. ‘Yes, we feel under-represented but equally we feel we are over-taxed and we wonder how it is that we can be subsidizing university education for Scottish pupils and free prescription charges’. Scottish university students pay no fees, English students pay anything between £6000 and £9000 per annum. The Scots and the Welsh do not have to pay for prescriptions or hospital parking charges. The English do’.

The Campaign for an English Parliament has been raising these issues ever since 1998 when Scotland and Wales got devolution and with it home rule, all paid for by a huge block grant and subsidy from the UK Treasury, paid for by the English taxpayer. CEP dogged persistence is beginning to pay off. David Davies MP has now declared his support for an English Parliament located in the Midlands or the North of England.