The controversial subject of English Votes for English (EVEL) Laws was constantly raised with me by local people across Taunton Deane in the run up to the election. It was a real bone of contention, and still is, especially now that the SNP is so prominent in our Parliament in Westminster.
It is grossly unfair that English MP’s cannot vote on issues such as health in Wales and education in Scotland and yet MPs from those countries can vote on those same issues as they affect England. It really is a case of the Scottish wanting to have their Dundee cake and eat it!
As you can imagine the recent parliamentary debate on EVEL attracted much attention and I for one followed the entire, often fiery debate, in the Chamber with fascination, intervening as appropriate. It was definitely time we English spoke up in the interests of fairness. The subject has been debated for almost 20 years but the recent devolving of power to our component nations and in particular the passing of the Scotland Bill which gives the Scottish even more powers to decide their own futures (including raising their own taxes to spend as they like), makes the case for English Votes for English Laws more pressing that ever.
The idea is that whilst new laws will, as usual, be made by the whole house, when it comes to laws that will affect only the English (and Welsh in some cases) being made it will be with the consent of only the MPs who represent those parts of the country.
Legislation is not required to implement EVEL. After detailed analysis the Procedure Select Committee determined that the Government’s policy on this should be implemented through Standing Orders rather than through primary legislation. It will be the speaker who, in consultation with two members of the Panel of Chairs, will decide which laws are relevant only to the English.
The allocation of spending throughout the UK will continue to be voted on by all MPs. Where taxation rates affect only one or more parts of the UK, it is right that the relevant MPs can have a decisive say.
This change will not undermine the Union, great strength lies in retaining the contributions from across the House on issues that affect us all but we now have a new a fairer settlement that applies to all parts of the United Kingdom.
The new system will be piloted and assessed since the standing orders are somewhat complex (not to mention lengthy) but the overall outcome should be a fair balance giving England more control over decisions which it alone is affected by, while ensuring that Westminster continues to be a place where those from across the UK govern in the best interests of those living within the Union.
