Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have already passed legislation on smoking in their own assemblies. Last night's free vote in the House of Commons was to decide on a smoking ban in Englnad.

How come then that all the MPs representing constituencies in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland were allowed to participate in making a decision that affects only England ? :confused:

It's to "bump up" the numbers so "dear" Tony doesn't end up with ye olde egg on face like he did with the education reforms!!!!!!

It's to "bump up" the numbers so "dear" Tony doesn't end up with ye olde egg on face like he did with the education reforms!!!!!!

It was a free vote, - Tony actually voted against his own proposals and party manifesto :D

It is, I believe, called the "Lothian" question.

New Labour are in power thanks to the strength of their Scottish Constituencies.

Ironic that Scotland has its own Parliament, with elected Representatives (MSP's)

Wales have their own Welsh Assembly, and so has Northern Ireland (when the wheels are eventually put back on)

England has no unique Parliament for itself...it is called the U.K. Parliament.

It provides an excellent living for those of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish extraction, who would not find enough room in their own democratic systems to accomodate them.

Listening to TV from Parliament these days, I think we are totally overun by the Scots who are voting on English Legislation to the disadvantage of the English people.

Damn good point Greybeard because not only did New Labour dominated Scotland (with its own parliament) & Northern Ireland vote on the smoking ban, they also vote on other matters that involve England and Wales only, such as education and health.

I cannot see what right, Scottish MP's for instance, have now to vote on any issue that solely affects England and Wales. Obviously they need to vote on anything that concerns the United Kingdom as a whole, such as defence for instance but why are they allowed to influence decisions made that do not concern them?:mad: :mad:

The question has arisen again, today, in respect of whether Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland MP's should be able to vote in The House of Commons on those laws which affect England only.

I firmly believe it is wrong that they should be able to do so, and that Laws, affecting England only, should be determined by MP's representing only English Constituencies .

An English Parliament (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4792120.stm)