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Sunday 26 April 2015

Tory EVEL proposals break the vow made to Scotland

David Cameron this week launched the Tory election campaign manifesto for England - and the centrepiece of it is the proposal for 'English votes for English laws' (EVEL) at Westminster. David Cameron's plans for EVEL were first mentioned in the early hours of the morning of the 19th September in a Downing Street declaration shortly after the result of the Scottish referendum was confirmed, horrifying his No campaign colleagues in the Labour Party.

Environment Secretary Liz Truss said that Scottish MPs should be excluded from Westminster votes such as health, even when there is a financial consequence for Scotland. It is clear that the Tory proposals are a breach of the Smith Commission, which said Scottish MPs should continue to be able to vote on income tax in the Commons.

Commenting on the Tory EVEL proposals , Stewart Hosie, SNP Deputy Leader, said: "David Cameron's plans as outlined today in his party's English manifesto are in stark contrasted with what he said during the referendum campaign last year. Then he said: 'Scotland's got a right to make its voice heard in the UK, Scotland should seek to lead the UK, not leave the UK' - today he wants to deny a Scotland a vote at Westminster on issues where there is a clear Scottish interest. And he has dumped both the spirit and letter of the Smith Commission - which his own party in Scotland signed up to."

"Tory colleagues of Mr Cameron, such as Environment Minister Liz Truss, are making it clear that they want English MPs to have a veto at Westminster over issues such as health spending - despite that having a direct knock on effect on Scotland's budget. A vote for the SNP is a vote to make Scotland’s voice heard at Westminster like never before and deliver progressive change for people across the UK."