A Federal Britain

[Which Tyler]

Something I've proposed a few times on here, has actually been picked up (independently, I'm sure)

https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/could- ... -the-union

[Sandydragon]

Something I've proposed a few times on here, has actually been picked up (independently, I'm sure)

https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/could- ... -the-union

Yes, please. Change the HoL into a federal parliament. HoC becomes the English parliament. Maybe a case for regional English parliaments but English, NI, Scottish and Welsh parliaments have equal powers. Federal parliament looks after foreign affairs, defence, national-level policing.

If regional English parliaments introduced then perhaps the HoC is reduced in size and becomes the Federal Parliament with HoL being consigned to the bin.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Something I've proposed a few times on here, has actually been picked up (independently, I'm sure)

https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/could- ... -the-union

Yes, please. Change the HoL into a federal parliament. HoC becomes the English parliament. Maybe a case for regional English parliaments but English, NI, Scottish and Welsh parliaments have equal powers. Federal parliament looks after foreign affairs, defence, national-level policing.

If regional English parliaments introduced then perhaps the HoC is reduced in size and becomes the Federal Parliament with HoL being consigned to the bin.

If there's a single English parliament it'll be dominated by the south and London. England needs to have regions IMO. HoC remains the national government, albeit with PR.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Something I've proposed a few times on here, has actually been picked up (independently, I'm sure)

https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/could- ... -the-union

Agreed, something like this should be done.

Re the HoL point, clearly this would be a vast improvement over the current second chamber. However, regardless of the origin of each member of this chamber you know they'll just organise on party lines and make decisions in this way, not on regional lines (other than Scotland with the SNP and NI with its own parties and their obsessions).

[Which Tyler]

FTR, this is what I said last time it came up

As we're talking about overhauls - I have my ideas; though absolutely not fully thought through...

I'd Federalise England into 4 regions, with their own devolved parliaments, in Wessex (Bristol / Winchester), Mercia + E.Anglia (Birmingham / Tamworth), Northumbria (Manchester / Durham) and London (bound by M25).
Those 4 plus the 3 Celtic parliaments all to have the same powers as each other (notably more than Hollyrood currently has).

NZ-style compromise of constituent and PR voting for the devolved parliaments.

Those devolved parliaments nominate from within themselves (proportionately) to Westminster and a smaller, national HoC; government explicitly not made up from 1 party.
Revamp the HoL to be the elite / sinecure for the highest representatives of their trade - to serve 1 lengthy term. HoL acts as advisors, as well as check and balance on the government of the day. For tradition's sake, I'm happy enough to call them all Lords and Ladies (and to keep the title after their term is up - but no longer sit there, and not to hand it down to their kids). So yes, HoL will still have the odd politician, bishop and celebrity, but an equal number of top barristers, accountants, generals, teachers and medics etc.
The explicit purpose of the HoL would be their collection of expertise covering every field, and they should mostly be there to advise the HoC; and only to shoot down unconstitutional* legislation.



*Yes, I'd have a written constitution; explicitly to be revised every 100 years or so; and explicitly requiring national referenda on any changes - dealt with much more like the Good Friday Agreement, than the Brexit "debate".

[Sandydragon]

Something I've proposed a few times on here, has actually been picked up (independently, I'm sure)

https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/could- ... -the-union

Yes, please. Change the HoL into a federal parliament. HoC becomes the English parliament. Maybe a case for regional English parliaments but English, NI, Scottish and Welsh parliaments have equal powers. Federal parliament looks after foreign affairs, defence, national-level policing.

If regional English parliaments introduced then perhaps the HoC is reduced in size and becomes the Federal Parliament with HoL being consigned to the bin.

If there's a single English parliament it'll be dominated by the south and London. England needs to have regions IMO. HoC remains the national government, albeit with PR.

Fine with me. It would be better for the north and west as well as the Celtic nations if this were the case.

[Puja]

Yes, please. Change the HoL into a federal parliament. HoC becomes the English parliament. Maybe a case for regional English parliaments but English, NI, Scottish and Welsh parliaments have equal powers. Federal parliament looks after foreign affairs, defence, national-level policing.

If regional English parliaments introduced then perhaps the HoC is reduced in size and becomes the Federal Parliament with HoL being consigned to the bin.

If there's a single English parliament it'll be dominated by the south and London. England needs to have regions IMO. HoC remains the national government, albeit with PR.

Fine with me. It would be better for the north and west as well as the Celtic nations if this were the case.

Welp, that's settled it - we have a consensus. Let's get it in place.

Puja