English Devolution: 80% Support More Power for Local Authorities

A new poll has revealed that an overwhelming 80% of English respondents support the devolution of major cities, while two thirds have thrown weight behind the proposal that only English MPs should vote on English laws - dubbed "the West Lothian question".

According to a BBC poll, which surveyed 3,000 adults over the phone between 17 October and 27 October, the bid for Scottish independence has fuelled support for English local authorities to be granted more power over taxation and spending.

"I think people in northern England, for example, are seeing how the referendum has benefited Scotland and they want a share of the pie," said Dr Mark Stuart, assistant professor of politics at the University of Nottingham, who added he was "not surprised" by the results of the BBC poll.

Professor Tony Travers, from the London School of Economics and Political Science, also told the BBC, in response to the poll: "Most people and politicians are broadly in favour of localism. People feel cut off from power.

"Centralisation has been growing since 1945, but the response for devolved powers is now greater than ever, probably because England is such a centralised country."

Scots were promised by all main political parties - the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Labour - that if they voted against independence, the country would be granted greater devolved powers.

On 18 September, over 80% of Scots turned up to vote and 55% opted to remain part of the 307-year old union with England.

Talks are currently underway to discuss what level of devolved powers will be granted to Scotland as well as what the implications for the rest of the UK will be.

According to the poll, four in five people said they're glad Scotland remained part of Britain.

In September, Britain's deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has lent support to a "radical" report, calling for the devolution of central government powers to England's regions and main cities, shadowing the unfolding independence referendum in Scotland.

Clegg insists that Westminster's pledge to grant Scotland more power over tax and welfare issues in the event the country chooses to stay in union with England, will mean the northern economy will require increased powers as well.

The IPPR North report argues that decentralisation of power for major northern England regions will better help the cities control and nurture their economies through greater power over spending and tax raising.