Of course we English could follow the modern fashion for demanding our “rights” (“England Arise”, 11 October), like children in a playground: "’Tisn't fair. Everyone else has got a parliament. We want a parliament."
But it would do absolutely nothing towards solving the fundamental problem of the Union, which is lack of trust between the parties concerned. It was lack of trust between the Scots and the English that nearly blew the Union apart in the recent referendum. Perhaps we all need to grow up a bit.
Suppose that, quite deliberately, we decided to forgo our “right” to a parliament, and said to our Scottish neighbours and friends, "You are most welcome to attend and contribute to debates at Westminster at all times. We need a Scottish presence and a Scottish voice. There is much that we can learn from you. But in return we ask you to use this privilege sensitively and responsibly, in an adult way, and not to abuse it, especially when English matters are under consideration."
This would cost nothing and require no act of Parliament. It would avoid innumerable arguments forevermore about who could vote for what and where. And we might be surprised at the warmth of the response we receive from the new Scottish leadership to this voluntary act of magnanimity on the part of the English. By determining publicly to trust the Scots, we could well begin a much needed healing process from which the entire Union would benefit. Would that not be preferable?
Dr Martin Mosse, Emsworth, Hants
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