Empty Chair



The BBC reports that the Labour Party has decided to boycott cross-party talks on "English votes for English laws' which sounds completely crazy to me, because most voters will see such a move as common sense in the context of 'home rule' or Devo Max for the Scottish Parliament.

Now there can't be many people who are willing to buy the argument that English MPs have no say on the business of the Scottish Parliament, but are then prepared to stand logic its head by pretending it's reasonable for Scottish MPs to vote on legislation about the NHS or education policy in England. 
So I think Labour is heading for trouble is it sticks with this approach because it adds up to 'defending the indefensible' and makes the party leadership look ridiculous, as if a political argument can be won via the medium of an empty chair. 

Labour rules out talks on 'English votes for English laws'

Some MPs want Scottish politicians banned from voting on English-only laws

Labour has said it will not take part in cross-party discussions about "English votes for English laws".

With the Commons debating devolution, Labour said it would boycott a body set up by David Cameron to examine the future role of English MPs.

The BBC's Norman Smith said the party regards it as "a political stitch up".

William Hague earlier insisted the transfer of more powers to Scotland was "absolutely unequivocal" and "not tied" to a deal covering England.

From about 12:50 BST the Commons will discuss last month's 55% to 45% 'No' vote to independence and the three main Westminster parties' pledge of more devolution to Scotland made in the final days of the campaign.

Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg signed a pledge to devolve substantial new powers to Scotland if there was a 'No' vote.
David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband all pledged support for more powers for Scotland

Following the referendum, Mr Cameron vowed to give tax-raising powers to the Scottish Parliament but also urged moves "in tandem" to restrict Scottish MPs from voting on English matters.

Labour is opposed to barring Scottish MPs at Westminster from voting on some legislation - instead favouring more devolution within England - and has reiterated its position that consideration of the issue should be delayed until after the 2015 general election.

The BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said Labour - which has more than 40 Scottish MPs - were refusing to participate in talks being led by Mr Hague, as they felt the timetable was unrealistic and designed to undermine them. 

'Partisan fix'

The Commons leader has invited all Westminster parties to take part and he has signalled the committee will continue with its work without Labour input.

Shadow Commons leader Angela Eagle called for "a considered process that seeks to achieve broad public support as well as cross-party agreement".
Scotland voted 'No' to independence in the referendum

She added: "That is why a partisan fix in Westminster just will not wash."

But Mr Hague said the issue of "English votes for English laws", known as the West Lothian Question, had been talked about for nearly 20 years but nothing had been done.

"There are solutions to this question," he added. "It is a matter of basic fairness for the UK that we grasp one of these solutions."'No confidence'

The Conservatives are preparing to stage a Commons vote on the issue before the end of the year.

The Lib Dems have said they will take part in the discussions but any solution must "reflect the will of the voters" and not be "politically motivated".

With no consensus in Westminster over the issue the SNP has accused Mr Cameron of "reneging" on his commitment to agree, in principle, the parameters of further Scottish devolution and to publish draft legislation before next May's poll.

Mr Salmond, who is stepping down as Scottish First Minister next month, said the Scottish people would not forgive any politician who backtracked on the commitment.

"The Scottish people will judge whether the answer is satisfactory," he told BBC Radio 4's Today.

"Right now the initial judgement is that people have no confidence in Tory guarantees and are absolutely fizzing about a preparation for betrayal of a solemn commitment made."

'No reneging'

But Mr Hague said the process of Scottish devolution would "go ahead whatever we do or don't decide about England", pointing out that a paper setting out the government's plans for Scotland had been published on Monday three weeks ahead of schedule.

"All of the party leaders are absolutely unequivocal that the commitments will be met," he told Today.

"There is no reneging, however much it might suit Scottish nationalist politicians to say there is."

The SNP has dismissed the proposals for more financial responsibility for Holyrood, which will be drawn up by a commission led by Lord Smith of Kelvin, as a "damp squib".

But Liberal Democrat Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said all parties were signed up to delivering a new constitutional settlement for Scotland.

"The Scottish people voted on September 18th for constitutional change and for a stronger Scottish Parliament in the UK," he told the BBC News Channel.

"That is the business we are engaged in now... the SNP need to take part in it in good faith. Alex Salmond has never worked with people in the past and I hope he is not now reverting to type."

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