Manchester Gorton’s MP and father of the house was referring in the House of Commons to the debate on English votes for English laws that took place yesterday afternoon.
“We have before us something called EVEL, and I say this: evil to him who thinks EVEL.”
The measure that was passed yesterday by 312 votes to 270 will allow English MPs to block legislation deemed to solely affect England.
It has been described by some as the first stages of the breakup of the United Kingdom:
” I am a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I was not elected by my constituents to be an English MP; I, like every single Member of this House, regardless of her or his party, was elected to represent my constituents in the United Kingdom Parliament, with the powers that this House of Commons has had for many centuries.” said Kaufman adding
“This Government, with the flip of a coin, have decided to alter what this House of Commons is about, and they have decided to do so for momentary political convenience, because they have a small majority and because a considerable body of the Members of this United Kingdom House of Commons are from Scotland”
He wasn’t alone, the Shadow Leader of the Commons described it as “a charter for breaking up the union”, while there are concerns that the country’s Parliamentary process could mimic America where blocks of MP’s could delay legislation despite being in the minority.
Indeed if for example Labour was to form a government in coalition with the SNP, English Tory MP’s could in theory block their legislation if it were deemed English only.
“I shall vote against the main motion at the end of what I regard as a day of shame for the House of Commons.” said Kaufman
