Shropshire and Mid Wales MPs split over plans for English-only vote

Talks took place yesterday over a motion to approve standing orders to let English MPs have more say on laws that will only affect England.

The changes, known as English votes for English laws, or Evel, would introduce a new parliamentary stage for laws that do not affect other parts of the UK. English or English and Welsh MPs would scrutinise such legislation alone and then accept or veto it before a final reading in front of the whole House.

Ministers have argued that the system is the best way to address the so-called "West Lothian Question" as devolution progresses, but critics warn that it could create two classes of MP.

The Procedure Committee has also branded some of the proposals "over-engineered and potentially burdensome", and insisted they should be piloted before being introduced fully.

Shropshire's MPs today told of their reactions to the plans.

Telford MP Lucy Allan said: "I think that this is a very important debate and I agree that it is important for English MPs to be given more say on English Laws."

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said he thought this was a way to create better unity in the UK.

He said: "This is delivering on a manifesto commitment. I am a staunch unionist but recognise the current constitutional settlement is currently unfair to England."

But Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said: "I think it's designed to help one problem but it will create others. I think it will be more confusing than it is now and I don't think it's a workable system.

"I'm a good example of why it can't work. All secondary health care – hospital care – in Montgomeryshire is provided in Shropshire and I think it's ridiculous that I wouldn't be involved in discussions over the future of healthcare in Shropshire. I just don't think it will work."

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson said: "I am strongly in favour of this.

"As a second class MP I can't vote on matters to do with education and health in Scotland, but they can vote on those matters in Shropshire.

"All we are doing is correcting it. It was always unbalanced and it's an overdue correction."