What sort of federalism would you like for the UK?

Everyone has the right to vote how they choose jinglbellsfrocks, and calling them idiots doesn't really help. I would not choose to vote that way but I understand, while not agreeing, why many people do.

If you wish to discount the huge numbers who were making a statement about the three bigger parties surely the fact that few people vote in General Elections shows that it is felt to be "broke" by many voters.

As it happens I was just reading an article on the BBC about the "J" word. I've never been that keen on it myself (as a Scot) but as my sister in law - from Liverpool points - it's no different to her being called a Scouser, I think that's a fair point - it's just Slang rather than abuse. This is th article news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8094716.stm

I agree with you gracesgran and I have experienced negative comments about the Scots not "jocks' as described by feetlebaum.

Everything jings and feetle said.

Elegran, the A74 idea is just what they are doing with high-speed trains, saying that the North East will get high-speed if it catches a train from London to Birmingham, then Leeds, then Newcastle. It will cut 20 minutes off, I think, but you'll spend longer than that changing trains.
I'd rather they just left the East Coast mainline as the only nationalised train rather than selling it off just before the next election.
Actually, that's a lie. I'd rather they renationalised the railways altogether.

Education is a very interesting area. This government has allowed free schools to proliferate. These schools are financed from central government and take money away from council run schools, if there are any left. Would federalisation include schools? In which case can we get rid of free schools that are inordinately expensive to run?

Oh yes Feetle! You're right. Less.

As you were, thinkers of Gransnet.

I know! I'm waiting for dd to come and take me away from it all for a couple of hours.

Fine, thank you jingl! Nearly half of it gone already...

Hello Ana. How's your Saturday going?

I'm sure we'd all be happy to do that jingl, if only they'd form a political party!

You can't give in to the idiots who vote UKIP. Just hope and pray that the right thinking people of this country vote the right party in at the next election. I think they will. Just as happened with the referendum.

It can't be an easy job, governing a country. But at least we should allow the best brains in the country to do it.

Has anyone come across ResPublica? I heard their founder, Philip Bond on one of the news programmes this morning and found what he was saying very interesting.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

But many feel it is broke Jinglebellsfrocks. Huge numbers voted UKIP because the feel no one understands their point of view. Everyday you hear people saying that MPs just don't get it. The power is in the hands of the parties not of the people.

Think about the appalling costs of this extra government function. More local councilors with expense accounts? The costs of extra elections. (*Nelliemoser*)

Perhaps there is a role here for the House of Lords? (*Lilygran*)

I would bring these two things together and abolish the House of Lords as a second chamber. The UK Parliament would be that.

If you moved this Parliament to the middle of the UK (York?) you could open the Houses of Parliament to tourists - lots of money to be made there. You could still use if for ceremonial occasions if you really felt the need.

You would have fewer MPs in the UK parliament as the constituents would be represented in their council/assembly with each of these sending one or two to the UK one. We have too many MPs in the Commons, I feel.

I agree with Lilligran. “It's a question of changing the purpose of existing bodies and, I hope, merging others.”

... or perhaps 'the less intelligent...' I don't recall ever hearing anybody in England bad-mouthing the Jocks they way some Scots go on about 'the bloody English'... The only down-side to the referendum result is that those people will now be able to continue blaming their troubles on us!

I should have said "the lesser intelligent part of the Scottish population.

I don't want any sort of federalism thank you. Just want Scottish MPs to not be able to vote on England only matters, but how many of those actually come up?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Not at all sure this referendum should ever have been allowed to happen. It's just given rein to anti-English feelings in the lesser intelligent population of Scotland.

You wouldn't put another layer on top of what exists, not if you had any sense, anyway. It's a question of changing the purpose of existing bodies and, I hope, merging others.

I think nellie has made some good points. The cost of yet another layer of government would be high, at worst more open to corruption and at best the risk of money being wasted by being diverted into pet projects which could be relentlessly pursued.
I would dispute the fact that it is working well in Wales and so would a lot of its residents. Money is wasted by the Welsh Assembly whilst education and health services get steadily worse.

If we are going to discuss fairness between the countries then one of the first, and simplest, moves would be to remove the tolls from the Severn crossings - tolls on bridges have been removed in Scotland. The cost is a scandal and does nothing to promote Welsh businesses.
It costs £19.20 for a lorry to cross the bridge (due to go up again in January).

Can anyone tell me how local income tax would work? What worries me is that wealthy areas would become more wealthy and poorer areas poorer.

This is what I said on another thread:

I worry that devolving 'power' to the regions would bring a whole host of new problems. How would you divide the regions? Would those on the borders feel they should be in a different region? Would we end up with extra layers of bureaucracy? There would be complaints that all the 'power' was in the large conurbations and so on.

No, I don't have the answers just foresee so many more problems

Perhaps there is a role here for the House of Lords? As a second federal, elected house. And As other posters have said, there are many examples of successful federal systems of various sizes. We don't need to invent something!

I mentioined the A1 to someone, as an example of a "main" road into Scotland. I was told that there was always the A74. Ah! yes, lets go from Leeds to Edinburgh via Glasgow.

Think about the appalling costs of this extra government function. More local councilors with expense accounts? The costs of extra elections.

There is something that worries me about this idea.

I would be worried it could lead to local areas getting more extreme social and other policies.
We are a very small island. Here would the costs outweigh the benefits.

Perhaps I am thinking about the different laws in different USA states.
Those teaching creationism, those that still have very racist attitudes. I just feel Concerned about this.u

durhamjen have just been visiting family in Berwick and understand what you are saying! Everyone we met is fed up with that bit of the A1.