Letters: Daniel Kawczynski

Edward fired off one of his letters to Shrewsbury's Conservative MP, Daniel Kawczynski. The following is Daniel's reply ...

DANIEL KAWCZYNSKI MP

HOUSE OF COMMONS

29th September 2005
LONDON SW1A OAA
Mr Edward Higginbottom
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Shrewsbury
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Dear Mr Higginbottom

Thank you very much for your letter about English nationalism. I am grateful to you for sharing your interesting suggestions and proposals.

As you say in your letter, many English people rightly feel concerned that their voice is being ignored, especially in light of Labour's devolution policies for Scotland and Wales. I share your belief that English people can and should be proud of their heritage.

I think that there are various ways of addressing the concerns that people feel. The Conservatives would, for example, ensure that only MPs representing English constituencies vote in respect of English laws. This would mean, for example, that Scottish MPs would not be allowed to vote on Bills in the House of Commons that did not affect Scotland. I believe that this would achieve the objective of control over English laws by elected representatives of the English people, without creating another tier of politicians, more bureaucracy and a greater burden on English taxpayers.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats want to undermine our national identity and break up our nation. Addressing the legitimate concerns of the English people by creating yet another 'devolved' parliament would play into their hands, as well as creating more costly bureaucrats and politicians. Our policy of 'English Votes for English Laws', within the existing Westminster Parliament, would instead ensure its continued legitimacy as the Parliament of the United Kingdom, while addressing the need to exclude Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs from exclusively English law-making. I believe that this would effectively provide an 'England-only' forum with minimal additional bureaucracy.

I also agree with you that it is a shame St George's Day is not celebrated with the same degree of enthusiasm by the English as, for example, St Patrick's Day is celebrated by the Irish. Ultimately, I do not believe it is for politicians to dictate to people when and how they should celebrate, so altering the dates of national holidays is not the primary issue in this instance.

It sometimes appears, however, that people take their Englishness for granted and are even shy of being patriotic and celebrating the tremendous history, culture and achievements of the English. There is no contradiction between being proud of one's own nationality and being fully respectful of the nationality and cultures of others. In my view, St George's Day provides an ideal opportunity to show such pride.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me. I will certainly-take your comments on board when considering these issues in the future.

Daniel Kawczynski MP



P.S. Dear Edward
I will be discussing your case with Parliamentary colleagues when we return to the Commons.
Daniel