Scotland and Wales are countries, and their parliament and assembly are acknowledgement of that fact. Northern Ireland is also recognised as a political and constitutional entity within the United Kingdom (UK) with its own assembly. For reasons not adequately explained, England is denied recognition as a country or as a political and constitutional entity and the people of England are denied the right to express their will through their own parliament.
The people of England have the same right to a parliament as do the people of Scotland, and they should be equally free to determine their own system of local and regional government. Devolution for England should start with an English Parliament.
The aim of the Campaign for an English Parliament (CEP) is to put the issue of a separately elected English Parliament, with its own Executive, on the political agenda.
The CEP’s strategy is to assemble the most powerful coalition of expert and public opinion possible with a view to securing an English referendum on the question of establishing a Parliament and Executive.
An English Parliament will represent all those for whom England is their chosen or inherited home and who are legally entitled to vote. Read the full policy statement
Ultimately, an English Parliament cannot come about without the co-operation and agreement of the House of Commons. The CEP’s role is working with academics, business groups, trades unions, think tanks and the media to create the conditions where MPs see that there is no alternative to holding a referendum.
We need an English Parliament
- so that England can be recognised politically and constitutionally
- to rebalance the Union!
- to ensure the future existence of England
- to ensure an equal voice in Westminster
- to ensure an equal voice internationally
- to ensure all citizens of the UK have equal representation and enfranchisement
- to represent us when laws are imposed upon us
- to ensure the accountability of MPs
- to assure equality of funding
- to assure equitable taxation
- to allow us to control our own assets
- to deliver government for England that is appropriate for England and of equal value to that of the rest of the UK
- to support and protect English culture
- to prevent the submersion of England into Britain and to separate an English identity from a British identity
- to prevent conflict and to discourage discrimination on the grounds of nationhood.
- because the people of England want it
- because other proposals for England’s future do not answer all the questions arising from the current imbalance.