English Statesman 1

The English Statesman Volume 2 April 1979

English errs on Europe?

Randolph English has certainly never been the most popular man in Westminster. Being famed as a young MP as one of Joe Hipright's “Snakes” he then proceeded to find himself battling with fellow Conservatives in the recent election to save the Party's reputation. Being Shadow for Economic Affairs he has had to battle both John Steward and Longship on key matters such as the Fair Trade Act and the recent legislation on cooperatives as well as wage boards for agriculture. However he is now in the paper for something much different. When the European Parliament Elections act was introduced it was believed by many that it would receive a smooth passage. However Mr.English immediately challenged the legislation believeing that the electoral mandate may be abused by the Parliament. Despite these being concerns that seem quite reasonable, the Government and Liberal Party have latched onto the comments as if being a sign

English speaking to the LSE recently

of the Conservatives and Mr.English being anti-Europe. Even former Party leader Ted Heath has attacked the comments. However once the surface is scratched the comments aren't so bad at all. English has stated several times that he doesn't oppose Europe, nor does he oppose the ECC. However he worries that the electoral mandate may be used to try and justify taking powers from Westminster. He has received support from the Shadow Foreign Secretary on this matter as well, they have asked for an amendment to be made to prevent this occurring without direct consultation but yet this has been shouted down. One has to ask the question. Why?

There has been a lot of blustering about Democracy in the House recently, but those that have been supposedly for Democracy now oppose such referendum. Using Mr.English's opposition to an immediate referendum on devolution and electoral reform they believe they have him. On closer inspection, all Mr.English has said is that he believed the matter should be fully debated before consulting the people. As such that seems to be a fair comment to make. Therefore there is a clear choice. If we are to have the Parliament which is truly democratic in Europe, we should not only elect the Representatives, but also make sure that all the powers they receive get a fully electoral mandate. We had a referendum upon entry to Europe, then a referendum on the ECC. Why not have a referendum on new powers? At least the Government could agree to the convention of referendum on Europe, but as usual, referendum only suit the Government when it suits them.

Before Parliament...

Parliament has once again been graced by the Home Secretary as he has two new pieces of Legislation before the House. Firstly he legislation outlining the creation of the Crown Prosecution Service, and also a reintroduction of the Firearms Control Act with stiffer penalties. It will be interesting to note if these Bills get a smooth passage or not. Both seem rather simple now, and it will be an indication if the Conservatives are involved in opposition for opposition's sake.

Government's Missing Mandate? There is a sense of

fully elected chamber. This causes problems immediately unease in the as we have to ask which Commons at the Chamber is dominated the moment. On both lower or upper? If the Upper sides there seems to be is elected then surely it has a gathering storm as just as much mandate to rule two camps very as the Lower? Then we have opposite in opinions the mess of how many seem certain to clash members, what plans are to be over one of the largest used. constitutional issues of Prime Minister Lewis – Still the young firebrand? We also have to ask ourselves, our entire History. what is this new Chamber to As reported in the last mandate lies there. They have now said that do? If elected will it get its they have a mandate in the form of the issue of the English powers of veto on legislation Parliament Act 1911, a little passage that Statesman there has back? Or will the Government mentions that it should be made a “popular” been a lot of debate reject this, in case the Upper chamber. over reforming the House disagrees with them? Lords. After rejecting However relying on a piece of legislation that Will it be partly elected? was written over 70 years ago, by a proposals by the Causing a two-tier system of Government elected by 1/3 the franchise that Government to have we currently have, that seems like a very small Lords? Which are more unelected local parochial committees, mandate. Especially considering that the matter worthy therefore the at hand, the very essence of the Constitution of hereditary, life peers or the the Government was this country is at stake. The Prime Minister still elected? in such a rage that it Who is to elect these Lords? became determined to maintains that there is a mandate and that the The people, the Lower House, Chamber shall be reformed. There is another reform that House in the Cabinet? issue behind the idea of reform also. Is the order to make sure There are hundreds of motive correct? that it would not be questions that this reform will This Government had remained quiet on the able to oppose such have to answer, and there is a issue of the Lords until it rejected the measures again. The strong possibility that any Administrative Powers Act, which was a problem is however, do they have the right keystone of Government legislation. So has this reform will face problems desire for change come from anger at the Lords from backbenchers that to reform it? for rejecting their bill or is it through a genuine believe them too weak, and The Government has desire to attack the issue of Lords reform? John opposition from others for claimed that it has an going too far. Steward has perhaps given an example of what electoral mandate. the Government's motives are. He attacked the Perhaps Noble-Gordon is However in the correct, perhaps the old “Establishment” a few days ago for being a General Election just maxim that has been part of past it did not mention roadblock to reform, but yet as Mr.English the British Constitution for Lords reform, indeed replied only a few days ago, it has been this in its manifesto for all “Establishment” that throughout our history has many centuries, and is even defended our rights and democracy. The Lords more a cornerstone then 30 pages there was Dicey or any other work has only one reference to have always been champions of the people, yet got the problem down to a the Government has attacked them for being a the Lords, on the metaphorical T. block on reform. matter of reform to “It it ain't broke, don't fix it” The problems begin to mount however, when Aircraft and you have to decide what form this new chamber Shipbuilding. Therefore there can be is going to take. There are a number of forms that are could be used, the most obvious is a no doubt that the

That was the week that was.... A look at the goings on in British Politics this week

John Steward lambasted the “Establishment” (no use of the word effete however) for not being fair. He claimed that they were scared by the democracy that the Labour Government was introducing and that it only wished to have elections so that it could elect those that it liked into Government. A very interesting line of attack, though it bares a question, if they are a unfair minority would they really benefit from elections where they would have to battle against the majority of the public? In any case, it was a nice appeal to the old Red Guard in their battle against the Lords. The Foreign Secretary made an embattled speech on the European Parliamentary Elections attacking the Conservatives for opposition for oppositions sake. He claimed that they were trying to make a U-Turn on the policy laid down by previous Foreign Secretary (and Tory Party Leader) Robert Noble-Gordon. This was quite a scathing attack on the Tories, and will no doubt have been warmly received by people such as Ted Heath, however it does seem to revived the debate over the Tories and Europe. It will be interesting to see if these speeches cause any dissent within the Tories. Liberal Leader Alexander Shackleton announced the “Third Way” the points highlighted the Liberal Commitments to furthering Democracy, beating the economic malaise of the country and trying to make sure that freedom was protected. Behind the fluff of democracy and freedom, there is very little to go on. The policies are quite vague and the economic policy seems to rest on balancing the budget, a Conservative Proposal. No doubt this will raise some interest as people are eager to find out exactly what the Liberals are talking about.

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor

I was simply appalled by your attack on the Firearms Control Act. The Labour Government had the idea absolutely spot on. Aiming at a human being isn't hurting anyone, and fining people £25 seems more a fair punishment on people that have done so.

I would like to congratulate the English Statesman on a fantastic first issue, it was a thrilling read and I look forward to further issues. It is certainly better then anything that the Guardian could of produced.

The last issue of the English Statesman was a complete load of tosh. This Labour Government has always been a strong supporter of the Sen..I mean the Lords.

Yours,

Yours,

Yours,

Margret Hernthrop

General Sir Smith Smythe Smith

James Cornton (deceased)