Peter Hoskin

Has Clarke found the answer to the West Lothian question?

There’s an interesting debate fizzing between Iain Dale’s Diary and Three Line Whip at the moment. It’s all about the West Lothian question or, rather, Ken Clarke’s proposed solution to it. As the Telegraph reported this morning, Clarke’s plying this notion, which Cameron’s alleged to have signed up to:

“…allowing all MPs to vote on English legislation at the initial second reading stage of parliamentary scrutiny.

But only English MPs would get to vote during the detailed committee stage of the legislative process, where real changes can be effected.”

At the third and final reading, all MPs could once again vote, but a new parliamentary undertaking would prevent any party using Scottish votes to block amendments made by English MPs.”

Iain Dale’s aghast, writing that:

“The phrases ‘half baked’ and ‘dog’s breakfast’ come to mind.

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