Independence and the regions

The news that Plaid Cymru's annual conference has called explicitly for independence for Wales follows hot on the heels of the decision of the leadership of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) to develop a policy which could call for the creation of an English Parliament. Late last week the UK government announced the setting up of a commission to look at the West Lothian Question.  There have been calls in Scotland for the publication of secret legal advice on the effect Scottish independence would have on the relationship with the European Union (EU).

Add to the above swelling disenchantment with the EU and opinion polls which indicate a substantial majority want out. 

It is impossible to foresee the outcome of the pressure of these various strands of opinion which seek to change the UK constitutional settlement and relationships with Europe.

One issue which exercises some English nationalists is how regional issues are dealt with in England. An example of this can be found by clicking on the link below:

http://robintilbrook.blogspot.com/2011/09/oh-dear-poor-old-brits-just-dont-get-it_11.html

Disparities between the various regions of England is nothing new.  Back in the 1960s the concern was the effect that the London-Birmingham corridor was having on the rest of the country.

As areas which relied on one heavy industry suffered when those industries closed, schemes were introduced to encourage economic development.  Not always successfully it has to be said, but the principle of support to areas of economic deprivation is long established.  So, why the author of the article referred to has made his comments defeats me. It doesn't matter a jot whether there is a UK parliament or an English parliament, the North-East would have the same problems to contend with  and the responses would be similar - more aid to a deprived economic area to encourage inward investment and job creation.

There is another factor in play.  Anti-EU parties make great play of the existence of EU 'regions' within England and the belief that the eventual goal of the EU is to dismantle England into these regions. It may be this that is the concern of Mr Tilbrook.  Some of the regions, as used for MEP elections are strange: the SE region in particular. 

The acceptance of regions has been around for a long time, indeed the Victorians named railway companies after regions: London & North Western, Midland, London & South Eastern, North-Eastern, Furness, Great Eastern.

Like it or not, there are regions in England and they have a history which pre-dates the EU.  Indeed Mr Tilbrook's own party is divided into areas: regions by a different name.