| What are city governments? | City government refers to a level of administration that is both geographically-localised and has limited powers. |
| What is the London general assembly? | An elected assembly of 25 members with no single party having an overall majority |
| What is key about the new roles of elected mayors? | They have bigger responsibilities that span further than just ceremonial |
| What is a key example of elected mayors stepping up? | Andy Burnham asking for more funding for Manchester when we were sent into tier 3 and the introduction of our pass |
| What is English votes for English laws? | The proposal of ‘English votes for English laws’ solved the West Lothian question without the need for an English Parliament |
| What would an English government look like? | A completely new establishment separate from the UK parliament that would either sit in the current house or sit in an external place such as Nottingham |
| Why would this help the north south divide? | By having an external body that sits outside the Westminster it gives the English people more regional identity as it isn’t Westminster based |
| Why wouldn’t this be a great idea? | As the population of the UK is massive compared to other regions, it would ask for way more powers than other regions, it could lead to the dissolving of the UK parliament as there wouldn’t be that much of a need for them. Wouldn’t give any autonomy to regions such as Cornwall as it just centralises power elsewhere |
| What is the West Lothian question? | What to do with non English MPs who sit in the UK parliament and can vote on issues that predominantly affect England. |
| What was the law added to help answer the westlothian question | English votes for English laws 2015 |
| What is an example of where English votes for English laws 2015 hasn’t gone far enough? | Scottish MPs were able to vote down a bill in its later stages to extend Sunday trading in England even though it wouldn’t be rolled out in Scotland |
| What is English votes for English laws 2015 | A bill that stops non English MPs from voting on bills which are predominantly English in its earlier stages |
| Why would people argue we don’t want an English parliament? | Opinion polls show that under 20% of people actually want an English parliament, people don’t want more of their taxes going to politicians, it creates an added layer of democracy and bureaucracy |
| What is another reason for an English parliament? | English culture is under threat from multiculturalism and immigrations and an English parliament will help resolve this. This is something supported by UKIP and the BREXIT party it is more likely to be very anti immigrant and more reactionary |
| Why would an English parliament not fix English culture being under threat from multiculturalism and immigration? | Because people have a higher sense of britishness than they do Englishness, it would be exclusionary and only reflect ‘little England’ |
| Why would regional assemblies be more effective than a parliament? | It would reflect regional identity in a way that currently isn’t being reflecte, would bring power closer to the people |
| What is an example of reflect regional identity not being reflected? | George Osbourne’s pasty tax caused anger in the West Country which shows a regional insensitivity |
| Why would a regional government not be effective? | Not all regions have a strong sense of regional identity, Yorkshire and West Country might but do places like the south east have a regional identity? It could also lead to competitive corporation taxes to lure businesses from one region to another region in the country |
