Thoughts after the Scottish Referendum

The Scottish Referendum result last Friday changed the political environment for ever. The Scottish people, who passionately debated the issue with intelligence and humour, voted in their droves on the Independence issue that they felt strongly about pushing turnout on the ballot to over 85%. This mass engagement at all levels with voters - not politicians - leading the debate is something we should all take notice of.

As someone who believes in delegating decision making down to a local level I would have voted yes as - in my view - decisions are better taken at a local level - not left to career politicians who went to the right schools and attended the right universities (and this covers Labour, Lib Dem and Tory MPs!).

The Establishment politicians - in fear of the outbreak of devolution passion - offered more decision making powers to the Scottish people which clearly gave enough voters enough local decision making powers to persuade them to vote no.

But this opens a Pandora's Box on Constitutional matters that cannot be ignored or put back. If we accept as a matter of principle that the Scots should make decisions that impact on Scotland (and likewise the Welsh should decide Welsh issues and the Norther Irish Irish issues) then it is surely the case that English MPs should have the same powers on the same issues for England. That political process should not be corrupted by Scottish and Welsh MPs (most of them Labour) dictating to voters who did not elect them what should happen on taxation, the NHS, Social Security and Planning.

And surely the same should apply to local decision making? It can't be right that Councillors from other areas of Leeds can dictate to the communities of Morley - who did not vote for them - what should happen in Morley. Recent controversial issues - such as planning ones - have been bulldozed through using Labour votes despite the opposition of local Councillors and local communities.

Devolution is a process that must run through all decision making not just those that support the Establishment Parties - Labour, Tories or the Lib Dems - lust for power. That is why Morley needs its own referendum so that local people can decide if they want to withdraw from Leeds City Council and run their own affairs. I expect the same level of passion and engagement about devolution from local people and that has to be a good thing. Decisions needs to be made at the most local level possible. I see Fridays Referendum outcome as something that shows the way ahead for Morley and towards more decision making powers driven by Morley people.