Professor Nicholas Boyle (“England arise”, 11 October) ably presses the case for a rethinking of the association of the nations that constitute the United Kingdom, and for an English parliament. Ukip wants the United Kingdom to quit the EU and to put greater controls on immigration. Its very name suggests that it wants to preserve the kingdom in its present united form. But it may not be without significance that the constituencies where the party has done or hopes to do well are nearly all in England. If after the next election the current uncertainties of the British political scene deepen, if Ukip wins a substantial number of seats and then aspiring to something bigger tries to broaden its appeal, will it not be tempted to take on the mantle of a purely English nationalism?
16 October 2014, The Tablet
English votes for English laws
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