Standing Orders (Public Business)

Debate between Philippa Whitford and Ian C. Lucas

Thursday 22nd October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Ian C. Lucas]

It is a nonsense, and it is unprecedented. It will mean that an individual from outside England cannot be a Minister and move amendments in Committee on what is defined as an England-only Bill. If that is not creating two different classes of Member, I do not know what is.

This is the third version of amended Standing Orders—it came out last week after the Procedure Committee reported—and it is extremely complex. I have tabled two amendments to illustrate my two points, although I have not read them out because they would have taken up my entire four-minute allocation of time. None the less, the Standing Orders are horrifically complex and dangerous, and they go to the heart of the Union.

[Dr Philippa Whitford]

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

[Ian C. Lucas]

I only have 58 seconds left, so I cannot, I am afraid.

These changes, which go to the heart of the Union, will probably go through today with the support of Conservative MPs from England, but I think they will rue this day, because they are giving an enormous gift to Welsh and Scottish nationalists. This will foster their grievances and build resentment. It is ill judged and wrong, and I will oppose it till my dying day. If the party opposite really is the Conservative and Unionist party, it should not support this dreadful set of Standing Orders.

English Votes for English Laws

Debate between Philippa Whitford and Ian C. Lucas

Wednesday 15th July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Dr Philippa Whitford]

Our constituents have commented that during Scotland Bill debates, the Chamber has been almost empty apart from us, but we have been swamped by hundreds of Members voting against us in the evening.

[Ian C. Lucas]

I’m here all the time.

[Dr Whitford]

There have been only half a dozen people on the Government Benches during debates that are crucial for Scotland.