OVERCENTRALISED BRITAIN

Lord (Paul) Tyler gave evidence to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee this week (Tuesday) along with former Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kenneth Clarke QC MP, and Professor Vernon Bogdanor of Oxford University.  The Committee asked the three for their views on the effects on England of devolution to Scotland and Wales, and specifically investigated answers to the so-called "English Question".

All three witnesses were very sceptical of the political value and potential for practical application of the so-called "English votes for English laws" solution.

Lord Tyler emphasis that there was a much more urgent issue of over-centralisation and unaccountable administration in Britain, which was especially resented in areas of England that were more remote from London.

The full session can be viewed at: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=1124 until 18th March.