English Democrats have the right idea

I MUST confess I have some sympathy with the arguments put forward by the English Democrats that there should be an English Parliament to counter devolution to Scotland. The Government's favoured regional mini parliaments are not the answer because they would have few powers over strategic policy.

For Labour and the Lib Dems, it would be political suicide to make a federal UK with four parliaments of equal value in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. Surprisingly the Tories haven't yet cottoned on to the value of an English parliament, coming up with a crack pot idea for an English grand committee wich would comprise only of English idea.

The English Democrats are a fledgling group, just four years old, and battling against the three main parties, and UKIP, for publicity. It's been hard, but when I met its chairman Robin Tilbrook - you can read the interview in the politics section of the EADT's web site - it believes that Scottish influence over the affairs of England is beginning to turn the tide the way of the EDs.

I wish them well. That's not expressing a political bias, but I do think their devolution solution is the one which makes the most sense. I wonder how long it will be before either the Tories or Labour run with it. If either of them think their is electoral mileage in it, they'll be on to it like a hot.

Incidentally, my birthday is April 23, St George's Day. I'm patriotic to the core!!