CRISS researchers present evidence on English votes
Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:51:00 GMT
Two CRISS researchers provided written evidence on English Votes for English Laws to a recent session of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee at the House of Commons. CRISS Associate Director Dr Andrew Mycock [pictured above] and Lecturer in Politics Dr Arianna Giovannini’s evidence was published as part of the committee’s report entitled The Future of the Union, Part One: English Votes for English Laws (available for download).
Their written evidence to the committee argues that English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) alone will be insufficient to balance the governance of England and its place within the Union. Instead, they argue, what is required is a settlement ‘between all the parts of the UK which addresses the English Question in full whilst also strengthening the Union … based on two key principles: good and sustainable governance; and democracy’.
Further, they contend that the introduction of regional devolution via ‘City Deals’ and ‘Northern Powerhouse’ has not arisen from proper consultation with English citizens or allowed their views to be heard. This, they argue, is ‘likely to further engrain political cynicism and disengagement as reforms are implemented without opportunity for citizens to express their views on the nature and extent of devolution’.
Drs Mycock and Giovannini will co-edit a forthcoming special edition of Political Quarterly based on the subject of regional devolution, which will be published later this year.
