Cameron backtracks on English/Scottish legislation vow
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle7026378.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multime...on_554153a.jpg
Quote:
Scottish MPs will still be able to vote on issues that affect only England under a Tory government, despite David Cameron’s vow to end the anomaly. Members with constituencies north of the border would not be banned from voting at the crucial second and third readings of bills on English-only legislation. The decision has angered some campaigners, who believe it is wrong that Scottish MPs can swing the outcome of crunch votes on issues that do not affect their constituents.
The issue has been a running sore since 2004, when 40 Scottish MPs helped the government push through a highly controversial bill introducing university tuition fees. Cameron has previously indicated that Scottish MPs would be banned from swinging legislation in such a way again. David Mundell, the shadow Scottish secretary, revealed that they will be barred only from the committee and report stages of bills, in which the precise wording of new legislation is determined.
“Basically, what we’re saying is that, in the committee and report stage of the bill, the committee should be made up only of members from England, or England and Wales if that’s the jurisdiction. That’s the point at which amendments and changes come forward,” he said. To counter concerns that restrictions would create two classes of MP, he added that Cameron would allow Scottish MPs to vote at the second and at the third, final, stage.
I often wonder whether he is leader of the right party. The English are yet again being put last, we cannot vote on Scottish legislation in Holyrood so what right have they got to vote on English legislation in Westminister. Always been against devolution, still am.
Thoughts?
