Evaluates the case for the creation of an English Parliament. Replete with precise evidence and a nuanced, evaluative argument. A* quality (graded by teacher).
This formed the basis of my answer in the June 2022 exam which received 28/30. I now study at Cambridge.
Evaluate the view that an English Parliament should be established [30]
Introduction Define: Argument:
Paragraph 1: Weak argument point 1: Weak argument point 2:
Stability and The creation of an English Parliament E.g. in the 2015 general election, only 25
unity would bring England in line with other devolved representatives comp. to 129 in
devolved systems/ nations. This would NI. Creation of English Parliament, then,
mark a major step in resolving the current would even out this disparity. Symmetry
system of asymmetric devolution, which would create more unity + consistency +
critics have argued is undemocratic in its stability across the UK – devolved
inconsistency. The Cities and Local legislatures in all four nations.
Government Devolution Act (2016)
allowed for city-based and regional
devolution – creation of metro-mayors,
now spanning Greater Manchester (Andy
Burnham) to Liverpool and Cambridgeshire
and Peterborough BUT far less developed
than devolution elsewhere.
Strong argument point 1: Strong argument point 2:
The creation of an English Parliament Proponents generally advocate an English
would exacerbate, rather than solve, the Parliament at the more powerful end of
tensions created by asymmetric the political spectrum – equal to Scottish
devolution. England is far too large to work Parliament. This could create anomalies –
as a devolved body, containing 84% of the particularly in relation to NI – assembly has
UK’s population and 95% of its GDP. It no power to vary tax. Nationalists have
would continue to dominate any national called for greater devolved powers, but in
government, and so would control both volatile political climate unlikely to
the Westminster Parliament and an materialise. Could lead to resentment etc,
English Parliament. The likely dominance destabilising UK.
of England, then, could threaten an
already tenuous existing consensus on
devolution (can cite NI fragility and
Sturgeon’s attempt in 2021 to trigger
second referendum) and thereby
destabilise the current system. (quasi-
federal state fully federal). Critics argue
that English Parliament would precipitate
the break-up of the UK.
Paragraph 2: Weak argument point 1: Weak argument point 2:
Representation EVEL, implemented in 2015, proved A separately elected English Parliament
failure: repealed in July 2021. Suggests a almost certainly adopt a more proportional
more radical solution to the ‘West Lothian’ electoral system – likely AMS used in
question needed – English Parliament Scotland and Wales, or STV in NI. Could
would offer a clear constitutional solution. dissolve electoral heartlands (Cons in
E.g. in 2004, the Labour govt won a vote South Lab in North) and lead to fairer
on the raising of tuition fees in England representation of smaller parties. If 2019
and Wales by 316-311, even though election used AMS, Lib Dems would have
English and Welsh MPs had voted against garnered 11% of the vote and 9% of the
the reforms (270-276) – critics argue that seats (rather than highly disproportional
undemocratic for Scottish MPs to vote on 1% under FPTP) and Cons winner’s bonus
policies confined to England and Wales. reduced from 13% to 5%.
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