We must create a more perfect Union

This post is written by Tim Roca and Michael Payne 

On the 18th September people in Scotland will vote to decide the political future of their nation, and this island. If they do as many hope and agree we are better together, the United Kingdom will still need reform, political and symbolic, if the Union is to survive. The truth is that UK institutions are perceived to be too English by the nations, whilst simultaneously failing England’s regions. Only one party has the support across the Union to make the changes necessary to build a stronger Britain, One Nation Labour.

Labour’s devolution has proved successful in Scotland, Wales, London and Northern Ireland. But in spite of its success, there has still been no move to solve its consequences, including the ‘West Lothian’ question. In the meantime London and the South East spin economically away from the rest of the country. The UK can only work if it operates and is perceived to operate in a fair way for all parts of the country. Better together must mean just that – benefits from being part of the Union shouldn’t depend on where you live.

Let’s consider the symbolic confusion. The central bank of the United Kingdom is the Bank of England. There are Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but no Secretary of State for England. The national anthem of the United Kingdom plays before an England football match, but not a Welsh one. Britain never had an Elizabeth I but has an Elizabeth II. We have also lost symbols of our British identity, as the Tories have sold off UK institutions, from British Rail to the utilities. Symbolic as many of these anomalies seem they must be addressed. Symbols are important.

Many of these issues are supposedly difficult for Labour because of fear that the issue of English identity will only play to the Tories. However the issue of English identity is a political reality at the ballot box, and on the doorstep. In a survey conducted by the IPPR in November 2012, people in England identified themselves more as English than British. Importantly, they felt dissatisfied with the constitutional position of England in the United Kingdom and it is these discontented voters that UKIP now appeals to.

Labour should confront the issue of English identity. Richard Wynn Jones argues the rise of Englishness cannot be wished away, and says ‘The left need not fear the growth of England as a political nation’. He believes that England’s proud radical left tradition, from the Levellers to Orwell, means Labour should be unafraid of engaging English identity. Labour must be confident remembering that since 1919, only in two short-lived parliaments has our party in Government not enjoyed a majority in England.

Some of the symbolic reforms that are necessary can be done quickly and with little cost. UK institutions should have names that reflect their British role. The key is meaningful constitutional reform. A new second chamber must be based on strong regional and national foundations; if Labour does not agree with the McKay Commission on the West Lothian question it must come up with its own proposals; the Joint Ministerial Committee between the devolved and UK administrations needs to be given a constitutional position.

Finally, though we disagree with an English Parliament (its sheer size could undermine the Union) the move to a coherent semi-federal model requires devolution to England’s regions. The aim is clear, supporting our nations and our regions, to secure a better future for Britian. The goal must be a pluralist Britain, where people from all backgrounds feel proud in being English, Scottish, or Welsh but also in being British. To borrow a phrase – we must create a more perfect union.

Tim Roca is the Parliamentary Candidate for Macclesfield and Michael Payne is the Parliamentary Candidate for Newark