East Worthing MP backs English votes for English laws in Commons

Plans to ensure that English laws are passed by a majority of English votes in the House of Commons have been backed by East Shoreham and Worthing’s MP.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Oct 2015, 06:15 BST

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Tim Loughton pictured at this year's election countTim Loughton pictured at this year's election count
Tim Loughton pictured at this year's election count

Tim Loughton welcomed the changes made by the Conservative Government to solve the West Lothian question, which came up due to the fact that Scottish MPs are allowed to vote on matters relating solely to England, but English MPs are not able to vote on issues that only have a Scottish dimension.

The new measures will mean that if the speaker of the Commons decides that a bill or part of one only applies to England, there will be an additional stage in the law-making process allowing English MPs, or English and Welsh MPs in some cases, to veto or accept the proposed legislation.

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Mr Loughton said: “We have delivered our commitment to introduce English votes for English laws. We are determined to strengthen the Union – we are devolving more powers across the United Kingdom, and now is the time to give the English more say over their own destiny.

“Our plans provide a fair balance by 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.”

The new stage will be called the Legislative Grand Committee, and the process will be reviewed after 12 months.

English votes for English laws (Evel) was a manifesto commitment by the Conservative Party following the additional powers promised to the Scottish Executive after the independence referendum in 2014, which saw the majority of Scotland vote to remain within the UK but after promises were made that further powers would be devolved.

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Related topics:House of CommonsGovernmentEngland