THE DECISION by Scottish voters to reject independence has been welcomed by Evesham’s and Pershore’s MPs.
Sir Peter Luff and Harriett Baldwin spoke after the vote on Thursday (September 18) which saw Scotland vote by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to preserve the United Kingdom.
Both MPs also expressed their hope the so-called ‘West Lothian Question’, whether Members of Parliament from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should be able to vote on matters that affect only England in the House of Commons, would finally
be answered.
Sir Peter said: “As a former defence minister I am particularly pleased that our strong defence links on the land, in the air and at sea are to continue unbroken.
“This means that significant parts of our air defences can remain in Scotland, that our army can recruit and train there, that the Royal Navy’s submarines will remain at Faslane, that the new Type 26 frigates can be built on the Clyde and that a range of important defence industries will not be forced to relocate from Scotland to other parts of the United Kingdom.
“There is time to get this right, but the principle of “English Votes for English Laws”, which I have long advocated, does need to become a reality as soon as practicable.
“The Mackay Commission on this question reported last year when the issues appeared less pressing, I would welcome the views of my constituents which I will listen to very carefully.” he added.
Mrs Baldwin, said: “The people of Scotland have spoken and I am delighted that they have chosen to remain part of our United Kingdom.
“As the granddaughter of Flora Maclean McLeod Morison, all my relatives with Scottish blood will be relieved as well as we are all family together.
“There is now much to do to learn from this and to work out how to advance the interests of each of the four countries in the UK.
“I look forward to being part of those discussions and hope that we can help to usher in a new era of national politics in Westminster within a secure Union.”
