An interesting post by Third Avenue over at The Sharpener. It’s about the West Lothian Question. Ooh. It’s a wee while since I’ve touched upon that.

It’s a good post, making a lot of interesting points, essentially saying that the West Lothian Question is an issue that’s been blown out of all proportion. But it completely ignores the biggie for me.

Cabinet ministers in charge of devolved issues but elected in Scottish constituencies. John Reid was Health Secretary up until the election. Alistair Darling was Transport Secretary before the election, and he still is now. Neither were held to account for their actions because their actions did not affect Scottish constituents.

The West Lothian Question clearly needs solving. In my mind the answer is simple (albeit easier said than done). In addition to the existing devolved Parliaments and assemblies, set up either regional assemblies in England, or a national English assembly. Give them all the same powers so that everybody knows where they stand. Westminster would then be responsible only for the remaining reserved issues.

As commenters at The Sharpener recognise, though, this would be difficult for a whole variety of reasons. It might also still leave a problem with Northern Ireland. I’m no expert on politics in Northern Ireland, but their assembly is currently dormant. Would the situation I outline above would leave Northern Ireland essentially without anybody having a say over devolved issues?

Incidentally, I’m still waiting for my reply from the Department for Constitutional Affairs.