Breaking news, of a sort, on the anoraks' favourite subject, the Barnett formula.
The news is that there's no news, and that the Government is sticking to its public line that the formula, which effectively decides how much the Welsh Assembly Government can spend on public services, won't be changed.
Scotland on Sunday, a newspaper, had reported that the Treasury would be reviewing the formula under pressure from English MPs miffed by higher public spending in Wales and Scotland.
Now a member of Gordon Brown's Cabinet, leader of the Lords Baroness Ashton, says Ministers have no plans to review the Barnett formula, which was introduced as a temporary measure in the 1970s.
She told peers this afternoon: "It's interesting how many things that have been brought in for a year or two actually survive the course and we believe this has survived the course and have no plans to review".
Before self-appointed members of "civic society" take to the streets of Cardiff, we should acknowledge that the words used, almost a formula in themselves, would allow the Government to change its plans.
Some MPs are rather perplexed by demands from Cardiff Bay for a review of the formula, as they fear it could lead to a cut in Welsh spending rather than an increase.
Showing posts with label anoraks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anoraks. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Christmas comes early
Christmas has come early for constitutional anoraks. There's enough in Gordon Brown's statement to Parliament and The Governance of Britain green paper to keep policy wonks happy for years.
The new Prime Minister is proposing wide-ranging reforms - but he's already ruled out one idea consistently floated by his opponents since devolution - stopping Welsh and Scottish MPs from voting on English issues at Westminster.
Gordon Brown told MPs: "But while we will listen to all proposals to improve our constitution in the light of devolution, we do not accept the proposal for English votes for English laws, which would create two classes of Members of Parliament—some entitled to vote on all issues, some invited to vote on only some. We will do nothing to put at risk the Union."
Tory leader David Cameron said: ""We already have two classes of MP. Is it not the case that the only effective way to solve that problem is to give MPs in English constituencies the decisive say in the House on issues that affect only England?"
Gordon Brown's solution to the West Lothian question is to create English regional Ministers and regional select committees. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said in a statement: “The changes in the UK constitution, including regional select committees, would create a closer symmetry with Wales and would dispel any calls from opposition members for an England-only parliament or a two-tier system of MPs.”
There's little chance of the new settlement dispelling calls for an England-only parliament and some would argue we already have two classes of MPs - there are clear limits to the influence of Welsh MPs in their local schools and hospitals.
It will be interesting to see whether the Tories practise the principle they preach. Will Conservative MPs abstain the next time the Welsh Assembly Government makes a request for law-making powers.
The new Prime Minister is proposing wide-ranging reforms - but he's already ruled out one idea consistently floated by his opponents since devolution - stopping Welsh and Scottish MPs from voting on English issues at Westminster.
Gordon Brown told MPs: "But while we will listen to all proposals to improve our constitution in the light of devolution, we do not accept the proposal for English votes for English laws, which would create two classes of Members of Parliament—some entitled to vote on all issues, some invited to vote on only some. We will do nothing to put at risk the Union."
Tory leader David Cameron said: ""We already have two classes of MP. Is it not the case that the only effective way to solve that problem is to give MPs in English constituencies the decisive say in the House on issues that affect only England?"
Gordon Brown's solution to the West Lothian question is to create English regional Ministers and regional select committees. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said in a statement: “The changes in the UK constitution, including regional select committees, would create a closer symmetry with Wales and would dispel any calls from opposition members for an England-only parliament or a two-tier system of MPs.”
There's little chance of the new settlement dispelling calls for an England-only parliament and some would argue we already have two classes of MPs - there are clear limits to the influence of Welsh MPs in their local schools and hospitals.
It will be interesting to see whether the Tories practise the principle they preach. Will Conservative MPs abstain the next time the Welsh Assembly Government makes a request for law-making powers.
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