New report suggests increased concern in England about the devolution settlement
On the day that Communities Secretary John Denham calls for Labour to do more to celebrate and recognise Englishness a new report published by the leading independent think tank ippr and undertaken in collaboration with Britain's largest social research institute, NatCen, suggests increasing public resentment in England about Scotland’s share of public spending and increased support for England having its own parliament. Based on previously unpublished data from NatCen's British Social Attitudes survey, the report shows that:
- 40 per cent of people in England now feel that Scotland receives more than its fair share of government spending compared with just 22 per cent in 2003
- At 29 per cent support for an English Parliament has now reached an all time high
- For the first time less than half (49 per cent) agree that England’s laws should continue to be made by the UK Parliament
There are also tentative signs that support for an English parliament has been growing particularly quickly among those who say they feel ‘English’ rather than ‘British’, and among those who feel that Scotland gets more than its fair share of government spending.
The report author, Professor John Curtice, a Research Consultant to NatCen, said:
“It is too strong to speak as yet of a widespread English ‘backlash’. But the research does suggest there has been a marked growth in resentment about the level of funding that Scotland enjoys. Moreover this seems in part at least to be generating increased support for the idea that England should have its own parliament. If these trends continue, then politicians may no longer be able safely to assume that England can be ignored in the devolution debate.”
Associate Director of ippr, Guy Lodge, said:
“This report demonstrates that whichever party wins the general election will need to address the growing concerns of English voters about the impact of the devolution settlement. Politicians from all sides have ducked the issue of how England should be governed for too long and it seems that English public opinion is becoming increasingly frustrated. John Denham's call today to do more to do celebrate Englishness is a welcome development and we encourage all parties to engage with this debate.”
To read the full report go to:
http://www.ippr.org.uk/pressreleases/?id=3901
How is 29% supporting an English Parliament an all time high?
I can't believe it is so low, quite honestly, when nearly all previous polls have shown 60%+ with one showing 41% in recent months.
It beggars belief that all other figures measuring English disgruntlement have gone up, on this poll, but those wanting an English Parliament have gone down in number.
29% isn't an all-time high, as is shown here, but for the British Social Attitudes series it is. However, I think the British Social Attitudes methodology is flawed.
here here at last the lion awakes it has got to happen everybody enjoying english money to desroy the union ie alex salmond only interest is himself and power mad not interested in scottish people just power for himself using english money to boot lets get the st george flying from every flag pole that is empty and i see dozens where i live in the black country no flag at all we need to get english pride back even that little minority in cornwall who have taken down outhere own english flag and put up a black funeral flag trying to instill prejudice towards quote "them from across the tamar" unquote there are people born in cornwall who say they are english first cornwall second but they are having seperatism rammed down there throats even taking away there choice to have the st george flying even at the council house too it has gone therefore if they want to break away then let them but stop english money being used
Agree with your comments brummielad. Of course 29% is a nonsense figure, however when considered where such a figure comes from ‘the NatCens British Social Attitudes’, what can you expect. Of course England should have its own Parliament, and should have had it some years ago. As we all know however, and certainly all Politicians know although they appear not wanting to admit it, that when Brown and our Queen undertook to sign the 6th Treaty on January 1st 2009, effectively at that time our Westminster Parliament ceased to have any real power and was controlled from making any major alterations. As all powers Political or otherwise having been transferred to a central department in Brussels collectively called the European Union. Very doubtful as to whether the EU would allow for an English Parliament- they want to break England into nine regions, break down any opportunity for the people to be engaged in any policies that might effect them, take complete control of our lives and our Politics. The EU already has our Politicians firmly under control. One begins to wonder at the point of holding a General Election. No matter, which party wins or whether there is a hung Parliament, the result will be that the EU wins every time. I hesitate to say but feel compelled to do so, that should England (the people of England) wish to become a nation answerable to itself and not to any other union, a force strong enough to bring about that objective will be needed.
A moth eaten rag on a worn eaten pole, it doesn't look likely to stir a man's soul, 'Tis the deeds that were done 'neath the moth-eaten rag, when the pole was a staff and the rag was a flag'.
Oh yes we fly the flag up our way- but is that enough.