"English votes for English laws" passed after bad tempered debate
The Westminster Conservative Government won House of Commoms approval yesterday for its "English votes for English laws" (EVEL) scheme, despite opposition claims that it was risking the breakup of the United Kingdom.
The plan, announced by David Cameron immediately after last year's Scottish independence referendum, was intended to answer in part the "West Lothian question", which asks why Scottish MPs should be able to vote on proposals for England relating to matters which for Scotland are devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
Defining when these matters affect only England is proving contentious, and may place the Speaker of the House of Commons, who has to rule on which matters fall within the procedure, in a difficult position. Introducing yesterday's debate Chris Grayling, the Leader of the House, suggested that the expansion of Heathrow Airport was an issue affecting England only, despite it being a national transport hub. Votes on public spending also remain subject to the present rules.
Where the proposals apply, rather than cutting out any of the present Commons stages, an additional stage will take place allowing MPs for English constituencies to vote on issues deemed to only affect England. It would provide these MPs with a veto, rather than allow them to legislate without the rest of the House being involved.
However the SNP and some Labour MPs claimed the plans would make Scottish MPs "second class citizens" and would only increase support for independence. Mr Grayling rejected the former claim as "nonsense".
Labour MP Chris Bryant said the plans were so complicated, they resembled a "bowl of soggy, overcooked spaghetti" and claimed they would hasten the break up of the United Kingdom.
His party colleague Gerald Kaufman, the Father of the House, described the debate as "one of the nastiest, most unpleasant I have attended in 45 years".