Of course, Labour now has no more partisan interest in this than the Conservatives have. Arguably, given the smallness of the Government's majority, it has even less.
But EVEL would be a judgement call by the Speaker on each occasion.
And except on legislation relating purely to the internal affairs of the Church of England, the Speaker would in every case rule that the matter in hand was not "exclusively English".
For the perfectly good reason that, except for legislation relating purely to the internal affairs of the Church of England, nothing that comes before the House of Commons is "exclusively English".
Other than in ecclesiastical affairs, "English-only measures" do not exist.
This provision may as well be adopted, if that would keep people sweet, or at least quiet.
It would never, because it could never, be used.
What the hell are you talking about? Are tuition fees not "exclusively English"?
ReplyDeleteI just had to pay off £9000 of mine, but the Scottish don't pay them.
However, Scotland's MPs notoriously helped Labour get tuition fee rises through Parliament on 27 January 2004.
Is the NHS "purely English"? The Scots control their own.
Likewise, VAT and income tax will now be set separately in Scotland and in England.
Well, our taxes are now "exclusively" an English issue so they shouldn't get to vote through tax rises for us that their own constituents don't have to face.
What the hell are you talking about? Are tuition fees not "exclusively English"?
DeleteNo. They might only be charged in England, but that is not remotely the same thing.
Even church repairs can have Barnett implications, depending on who is being required to pay for them. Anything to do with bishops affects the House of Lords. The only English-only legislation is the authorisation of forms of service for use in the Church of England.
That's it. There is nothing else at all. Not a thing. Bring on EVEL, and you'll see.
David Lindsay writes:
ReplyDelete""For the perfectly good reason that, except for legislation relating purely to the internal affairs of the Church of England, nothing that comes before the House of Commons is "exclusively English"
You're talking out of your backside.
Were Labour's tuition fee rises not "exclusively English" when the votes of Scottish MP's-whose constituents don't have to pay tuition fees-proved decisive in forcing them through Parliament in 2004?
Likewise, VAT, Air Passenger Duty and income tax will soon be "exclusively English" when the new devolution settlement devolves powers over 40% of taxes to Holyrood.
Well, no Scottish MP's can vote on tax levels in England from now on, then.
Exclusively English, indeed.
No.
DeleteBarnett.
Just wait and see, when this daft proposal has been enacted. It'll mean absolutely nothing in practice.
""Under the Bill, only English MPs – and in some cases English and Welsh MPs – will have a veto during a special committee stage on laws which relate to issues where the Scottish Parliament already makes its own legislation."
ReplyDeleteThose issues will soon include income tax, VAT and Air Passenger Duty.
They already include education, the NHS, tuition fees, you name it.
We could have grammar schools, Singapore's successful system of health insurance and tax cuts in England any time we please.
Virtually no English MP's would vote against them.
Indeed, if the EU referendum were limited to England, we'd be out tomorrow.
No, we wouldn't, but that is by the by.
DeleteNone of those things would qualify, because they would all have Barnett implications.
English law is as separate from Scots, as the Church of England from that of Scotland. Say HMG to revise English Judicature Acts. What has that to do with Scots M.P.s?
ReplyDeleteOh, there'd be something. Try it, and you'll see.
Delete