MPs have cast their opinions on the debate over English votes for English laws.
Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney and Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman highlighted their conflicting views on new government proposals, which could see only English MPs polled on England-only bills.
While Mr McCartney welcomed the move as creating a fairer system, Mr Sheerman remained against the plans, which he said could destroy ‘the United Kingdom as a concept and a reality’.
Conservative leader of the House of Commons, William Hague, unveiled the ideas.
The suggestions also included barring Scottish and Northern Irish MPs from any role in English and Welsh bills, allowing only English, or English and Welsh MPs, to consider relevant bills during early stages before allowing all MPs to vote on the final bill and allowing only English, or English and Welsh MPs, to give bills an effective veto before their third reading.
Meanwhile a Lib Dem plan wants to see a grand committee of English MPs, who can veto legislation applying only to England.
Mr McCartney said: “It’s an issue that comes up with my constituents so I’m pleased it is now being addressed.
“There are votes on several issues which are very important for us but that I don’t think affect Scotland.
“It’s a question of fairness and I agree with all of the points made by Mr Hague.
“We are held accountable by people who we represent so I think it is right that only the relevant MPs vote on issues that are only applicable to them as votes from other MPs could skew the votes.”
Mr Sheerman said he felt ‘ashamed’ about the way in which Parliament was handling the matter.
He said: “I feel ashamed of the House and the way it is tackling this big issue of a fundamental change in our constitution.
“It is a trumped up issue which affects a very small minority of votes and I think that it is much more difficult to define which decisions solely apply to England only.
“For example, looking at the NHS, while Scotland and England may deliver services differently, it is an over-arching institution that is in place in both countries.
“We must remember that we are not separate states but part of the United Kingdom, so if the plans go ahead, we are inevitably going to be getting rid of the United Kingdom as a concept and a reality.
“On top of this, no member of the public has ever been consulted through a proper referendum.
“I think we should think about the long term implications of these proposals and I am happy to look at all options to ensure that we get this right.”
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