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After a highly charged debate during which the scheme was compared to “a bowl of overcooked, soggy spaghetti”, the Government’s “English Votes for English Laws” (EVEL) was backed by 312 to
270 votes, a majority of 42. A string of Lib Dem and Labour amendments were also defeated after four hours of argument in which opposition MPs lined up to claim the plans would wreck the
Union. Commons Leader Chris Grayling insisted the measures, which effectively give English MPs a veto over legislation, will finally address the so-called West Lothian Question. He also said
they would avoid a build-up of resentment south of the Border over new devolved powers. But Labour’s shadow Commons leader, Chris Bryant, warned Tories they would “rue the day” they
restricted the voting rights of Scots MPs through a complex system. “This is a charter for breaking up the Union,” he told MPs. “Some have described it as constitutional knitting but at
least knitting has a rhyme and reason to it. This will be a bowl of soggy, overcooked spaghetti.” The SNP’s Pete Wishart said the “stupid” plans would make members from north of the Border
“second-class citizens”. He later added: “The Tory government claims this is about saving the Union. “The truth is all EVEL does is enhance the case for independence.’’ Labour’s shadow
Scottish secretary Ian Murray accused ministers of putting a “wrecking ball” through the constitution. Criticising the Prime Minister, he said: “Today is yet more evidence that David Cameron
is governing in the interests of his rebel backbenchers and not the country as a whole.” The changes introduce a new parliamentary stage for laws that do not affect other parts of the UK.
English or English and Welsh MPs will scrutinise such legislation alone and then accept or veto it before a final reading in front of the whole House. It is up to the Speaker, John Bercow,
to decide which Bills, or parts of Bills, apply just in England, or England and Wales. Ministers say the new system will be reviewed after 12 months. But Nationalists also said EVEL would
“politicise” Mr Bercow’s role and leave Bills open to legal challenges. Mr Grayling rejected opposition concerns as “nonsense”. “These proposed changes enable us to give an answer to the
West Lothian Question, they enable us to give an answer to our constituents, to say England will have its own piece of our devolution settlement,” he said. “All we are saying is that should
a future UK Parliament, or indeed this one, seek to impose something on the English that the English do not want for their constituencies, when it is a matter purely for England, it is
surely not unreasonable that they should grant their consent before it happens.” Tory former Welsh Secretary John Redwood said “England has waited 18 years to get some justice and power
back” after devolution.