English Parliament poll welcomed

The establishment of an English Parliament would be welcomed by UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall

A major poll in support of the establishment of an English Parliament has been welcomed by UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall.

It showed that 54% of those surveyed believe it is time that England should have its own parliament, four times as many as disagreed with the idea.

61% of those surveyed think Scotland gets more than its fair share of public spending and 62% think it wrong that that Scottish MPs can vote on laws that apply only to England.

Mr Nuttall said: "This result comes on the heels of earlier opinion polls also showing that the English are in favour of the concept but I think that the debate over possible Scottish independence has brought it to the fore." 

"I personally have been pushing for the establishment of an English parliament and this latest survey, carried out the Edinburgh and Cardiff Universities, vindicates my views.

"People are increasingly fed up with the Scots getting free prescriptions and university tuition fees and their MPs voting on laws that only apply to England.

"There is a growing sense of unfairness and as it is likely that the Scottish government will get more powers, whatever the result of the referendum, that feeling is likely to increase.

"The poll revealed the majority want a new English Parliament dealing with English matters. It is plainly unfair that both Scottish and Welsh MPs can vote on English-only legislation but English MPs can have no say in Scotland and Wales.

"There clearly needs to a rebalancing of power - and sooner rather than later."