English MPs will refuse to back further devolution to Scotland unless their ‘second class’ status is addressed by a system of ‘English votes for English laws’, a Tory grandee warned yesterday. Lord Heseltine predicted a revolt against giving Holyrood the right to determine tax and welfare policy unless Scottish MPs are barred from voting on such issues only affecting the rest of the UK. ‘Let’s be frank about it: English MPs are not going to implement that [Scottish devolution] unless they get a degree of equality for England,’ said the former deputy prime minister. Decision time: MPs crowd into the Commons for a crucial vote. English MPs will refuse to back further devolution to Scotland without a system of ‘English votes for English laws’, a Tory grandee warned yesterday
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Comes as William Hague outlines options for constitutional change
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Reforms could make it hard for future Labour government to pass budgets
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Labour has long relied on Scottish MPs to pass legislation in Westminster
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‘When it comes to deciding who votes on matters in other parts of the United Kingdom, it is @placeholder MPs who feel that they are second class.
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Mr Hague said the scale of devolution meant the question of the status of Scottish MPs at @placeholder was unavoidable.
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At third reading – the final hurdle that has to be cleared by legislation and no further changes are allowed – all MPs, including @placeholder, would be allowed to vote.
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They argue that this panel should be composed of MPs on the basis of proportional representation – in other words, the percentages of votes cast in @placeholder at the previous general election.