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English votes for English laws plan to be revised after Commons revolt English votes for English laws plan to be revised after Commons revolt
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The government is to water down plans for English-only votes in the House of Commons after Tory whips warned Downing Street it faced defeat because rebel Conservatives had joined forces with the Democratic Unionist party (DUP).The government is to water down plans for English-only votes in the House of Commons after Tory whips warned Downing Street it faced defeat because rebel Conservatives had joined forces with the Democratic Unionist party (DUP).
Chris Grayling, the leader of the Commons, announced that he will publish revised plans for English votes for English laws (Evel) on Monday with a vote postponed until the autumn. Chris Grayling, the leader of the Commons, announced that he would publish revised plans for English votes for English laws (Evel) on Monday, with a vote postponed until the autumn.
Alistair Carmichael, the former Liberal Dem Scotland secretary, said that the government’s plans had descended into farce after a humiliating climbdown. Carmichael, who led an emergency Commons debate criticising the government’s plans earlier this week, said: “The government’s Evel plans have descended into farce. The fact that ministers have been forced to go back to the drawing board shows just how badly they have misjudged this issue.” Alistair Carmichael, the former Lib Dem Scotland secretary, said that the government’s plans had descended into farce after a humiliating climbdown. Carmichael, who led an emergency Commons debate criticising the government’s plans earlier this week, said: “The government’s Evel plans have descended into farce. The fact that ministers have been forced to go back to the drawing board shows just how badly they have misjudged this issue.”
The government put a brave face on the change of course as Grayling announced that a debate on the amendments will go ahead as planned next Wednesday. But a vote has been delayed until September or later in the autumn after he decided to extend the debate to two days. There are then no more free days after next Wednesday’s debate before parliament rises for the summer recess on 21 July. This means that the vote will be postponed until the brief September session or later in the autumn.The government put a brave face on the change of course as Grayling announced that a debate on the amendments will go ahead as planned next Wednesday. But a vote has been delayed until September or later in the autumn after he decided to extend the debate to two days. There are then no more free days after next Wednesday’s debate before parliament rises for the summer recess on 21 July. This means that the vote will be postponed until the brief September session or later in the autumn.
Grayling, who met the prime minister, David Cameron, to discuss the delay, agreed to change course after Tory whips advised that the government would lose a vote on changes to the standing orders of the Commons. It is understood that up to 20 Tory MPs were prepared to abstain or vote against the change. The eight DUP MPs would also have voted against the plan, guaranteeing that the government, which only has a majority of 12, would have lost the vote.Grayling, who met the prime minister, David Cameron, to discuss the delay, agreed to change course after Tory whips advised that the government would lose a vote on changes to the standing orders of the Commons. It is understood that up to 20 Tory MPs were prepared to abstain or vote against the change. The eight DUP MPs would also have voted against the plan, guaranteeing that the government, which only has a majority of 12, would have lost the vote.
A DUP source said: “We are very glad that the government has listened. We are glad that the government goes into the summer recess knowing that it really does need to get its act together if it wants to cut deals.”A DUP source said: “We are very glad that the government has listened. We are glad that the government goes into the summer recess knowing that it really does need to get its act together if it wants to cut deals.”
Grayling announced the change of course when he told MPs during his weekly business statement: “On Wednesday 15 July ... a debate on English votes for English laws - the first of a two-day debate on that subject. If I may briefly explain to the house: on Monday I will, having listened to comments from MPs, publish a modified set of draft standing orders on Evel. Grayling announced the change of course when he told MPs during his weekly business statement: “On Wednesday 15 July ... a debate on English votes for English laws – the first of a two-day debate on that subject. If I may briefly explain to the house: on Monday I will, having listened to comments from MPs, publish a modified set of draft standing orders on Evel.
“We will debate those on Wednesday. Subsequent to that debate, I will table a final set of standing orders which we will debate at an early opportunity once the house returns.”“We will debate those on Wednesday. Subsequent to that debate, I will table a final set of standing orders which we will debate at an early opportunity once the house returns.”
The government ran into trouble after the SNP, Labour and the Lib Dems joined forces to condemn it for proposing to introduce such a major constitutional change through a simple vote on changing the standing orders of the Commons. The DUP opposed the plans amid fears that it would weaken the unity of the UK, while rebel Tories were concerned that English-only votes, where Cameron would have a higher majority, could weaken their hand. The government ran into trouble after the SNP, Labour and the Lib Dems joined forces to condemn it for proposing to introduce such a major constitutional change through a simple vote on changing the standing orders of the Commons. The DUP opposed the plans amid fears it would weaken the unity of the UK, while rebel Tories were concerned that English-only votes, where Cameron would have a higher majority, could weaken their hand.
In a statement to MPs last week setting out his plans, Grayling said they were designed to resolve the anomaly of the West Lothian question. This asks why Scottish MPs should have the right to vote on matters relating to English schools and hospitals when English MPs have no say over Scottish schools and hospitals, which are devolved to the Scottish parliament. The prime minister said the issue needed to be addressed in light of the devolution of further powers to Holyrood after the independence referendum.In a statement to MPs last week setting out his plans, Grayling said they were designed to resolve the anomaly of the West Lothian question. This asks why Scottish MPs should have the right to vote on matters relating to English schools and hospitals when English MPs have no say over Scottish schools and hospitals, which are devolved to the Scottish parliament. The prime minister said the issue needed to be addressed in light of the devolution of further powers to Holyrood after the independence referendum.
Under the Grayling plan, English MPs – and in some cases English and Welsh MPs – would be given a power of veto to ensure that no measure can be introduced against their wishes. English MPs would also get a veto over secondary legislation and on spending motions relating to England.Under the Grayling plan, English MPs – and in some cases English and Welsh MPs – would be given a power of veto to ensure that no measure can be introduced against their wishes. English MPs would also get a veto over secondary legislation and on spending motions relating to England.
The speaker of the Commons would certify if a parliamentary bill relates solely to England. If a bill has English-only elements, a new stage would be introduced before the third reading, in which English MPs would be able to veto English measures. If a bill is designated as a wholly English measure then only English MPs would consider the bill at committee stage. The speaker of the Commons would certify if a parliamentary bill relates solely to England. If a bill has English-only elements, a new stage would be introduced before the third reading in which English MPs would be able to veto English measures. If a bill is designated as a wholly English measure then only English MPs would consider the bill at committee stage.
Bills would be considered and voted on under the same procedures at all other stages with no English-only procedures in the House of Lords. But if an England-only bill is amended in the upper house, it would have to be approved by a double majority of English and UK MPs when it returns to the Commons. Bills would be considered and voted on under the same procedures as all other stages with no English-only procedures in the House of Lords. But if an England-only bill is amended in the upper house, it would have to be approved by a double majority of English and UK MPs when it returns to the Commons.
Carmichael said the change of heart by the government showed his concerns had been heeded. He said: “The emergency debate I secured earlier this week showed MPs on all sides of the House of Commons had serious concerns over the speed with which the government was forcing through its shoddy plans. This is a humiliating climbdown from the leader of the house but does not go far enough.Carmichael said the change of heart by the government showed his concerns had been heeded. He said: “The emergency debate I secured earlier this week showed MPs on all sides of the House of Commons had serious concerns over the speed with which the government was forcing through its shoddy plans. This is a humiliating climbdown from the leader of the house but does not go far enough.
“There is no way that changes of this magnitude should be introduced through the standing orders of the House of Commons. If the government is convinced that its reforms are fair, it should have the courage of its convictions and bring forward primary legislation to ensure that reforms get the full scrutiny required.”“There is no way that changes of this magnitude should be introduced through the standing orders of the House of Commons. If the government is convinced that its reforms are fair, it should have the courage of its convictions and bring forward primary legislation to ensure that reforms get the full scrutiny required.”
Pete Wishart, the SNP shadow leader of the house, said: “The Tories’ proposal for Evel has now descended into complete shambles, with the UK government in headlong retreat. What this farce underlines is how weak the Tory government is with its wafer-thin majority and how strong opposition can force it to change course.Pete Wishart, the SNP shadow leader of the house, said: “The Tories’ proposal for Evel has now descended into complete shambles, with the UK government in headlong retreat. What this farce underlines is how weak the Tory government is with its wafer-thin majority and how strong opposition can force it to change course.
“In wanting to rush headlong into English votes for English laws – making Scottish representation in the House of Commons second class – the Tories’ attitude to Scotland has been laid bare for all to see.”“In wanting to rush headlong into English votes for English laws – making Scottish representation in the House of Commons second class – the Tories’ attitude to Scotland has been laid bare for all to see.”