LEGISLATION barring MPs from the rest of the UK from voting on English matters may have to be ripped up in light of the DUP deal, it is claimed.
David Cameron introduced English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) in the wake of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, promising that the move would strengthen democracy down south by preventing MPs from elsewhere from having a say.
The rule was first used in January last year, when members from England and Wales voted on housing and planning legislation.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) opposed the measure, as did Labour and the SNP.
With the Northern Irish party now seemingly set to prop up the Tories this time around, the SNP’s Pete Wishart says EVEL may now have to be scrapped.
Wishart, who survived in Perth and North Perthshire by just 21 votes to secure his fifth parliamentary term, spoke to The National yesterday after a “nerve-jangling” seven-week campaign.
He said: “The DUP, along with nearly every other party, joined with us in voting against this.
“There will be severe consequences for the EVEL process as a result of this arrangement with the Conservatives.”
Wishart, who chaired a parliamentary committee enquiry into EVEL, continued: “The ability of this government to govern with the support of a party that they will have to subject to EVEL procedures is questionable.
“They are going to have to reconsider whether it is practical to keep it in place.”
Turning to the eight Tories returned in Scotland, he said: “Under this rule, they will be excluded from some decision-making, so you have the question of what is the status of these Conservative members?
“One of the first things this government is going to have to do is review this situation.”
The Conservative Party referred an enquiry about EVEL to the Cabinet Office yesterday, who declined to comment.
Wishart said the outcome of the election would have “fascinating” consequences and said he was delighted to have held on to his seat despite strong opposition from the Tories.
He secured 21,804 votes against 21,783 polled by Tory candidate Ian Duncan MEP, who destroyed Wishart’s 9,641 majority with a 20.8 per cent swing.
However, the result means Wishart continues as the country’s longest serving Westminster parliamentarian.
Thanking the public for electing him once again, Wishart paid tribute to SNP members who lost their seats, including former first minister Alex Salmond, Angus Robertson, the party’s Westminster head and deputy leader, and Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh, who had worked closely with Wishart as MP for Ochil and South Perthshire.
Wishart said: “I’m gutted that I lost so many talented colleagues.”
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