Editing West Lothian question (section)

===Reducing the number of Scottish MPs===
{{see also|Number of Westminster MPs}}
During the existence of the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] (1921–1972), the number of MPs elected from Northern Ireland to Westminster was below the standard ratio of MPs compared with the rest of the UK.<ref name = "bogdanor">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/24/english-votes-english-laws-absurdity-separatist |title=Why English votes for English laws is a kneejerk absurdity |work=The Guardian |date=24 September 2014 |first=Vernon |last=Bogdanor |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=23 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223110501/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/24/english-votes-english-laws-absurdity-separatist |url-status=live }}</ref> During periods when the predominantly unionist MPs from Northern Ireland deprived Labour of working majorities, Conservatives supported the principle that "every member of the House of Commons is equal to every other member of the House of Commons".<ref name = "bogdanor"/> Scotland traditionally enjoyed a greater number of MPs per head of population than the rest of the UK, but this advantage was reduced significantly at the [[2005 UK general election]].<ref name = "war">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29244524 |title=Scotland votes No: How the UK could now change |first=Esther |last=Webber |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=19 September 2014 |access-date=23 October 2015 |archive-date=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103025444/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29244524 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/scotland/article1407195.ece |title=Cut urged for Scots MPs if No wins poll |work=Sunday Times |date=4 May 2014 |access-date=23 October 2015 |first=Jason |last=Allardyce |archive-date=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103025444/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/scotland/article1407195.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref> An argument against the idea of having a lower number of MPs, in return for more devolved powers, is that if the national parliament takes important decisions (such as waging war) then people should be fully represented.<ref name = "war"/>