Tories may use English votes to win Sunday trading battle

A TORY minister has indicated controversial Sunday trading laws could be forced through by barring Scottish MPs from voting, after saying the core changes would not apply north of the border.

Brandon Lewis, the communities and local government minister, said that the “liberalisation” of Sunday trading laws was “only applicable in England and Wales”.

His comments highlight concerns from Labour sources and opponents who believe the Government can only win support for the changes by locking out Scottish MPs from voting.

It comes after ministers confirmed they would mount a fresh attempt to hand councils the power to extend Sunday opening hours months after pulling similar plans because of Tory dissent.

Proponents argue that restrictions for Sunday trading undermine the high street and are out of date. Opponents say the move would undermine the tra-

‘Tory opponents would likely be outnumbered if only English and Welsh MPs were allowed to vote’

dition of Sunday being a day of rest and are “anti-business” and “anti-family”.

Twenty Tory MPs opposed an attempt to put the reforms – proposed by George Osborne – in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill last year. When the SNP signalled its opposition, plans for a vote were dropped.

Since that decision, Parliament’s rules have been changed so that any law or amendment that only affects England will be voted on by English MPs, and not the Scots.

Critics fear the Government will use the new rules – known as English votes for English laws (Evel) – to circumvent the SNP and get the change passed. Tory opponents would likely be outnumbered if only English and Welsh MPs were allowed to vote. Asked on BBC Radio Five Live’s Pien

aar’s Politics if the Government would use Evel, Mr Lewis said: “Well, the liberalisation of the Sunday trading laws itself – the devolution of that – is only applicable for England and Wales. The workers’ rights that follow from that apply right across the country.”

A Labour source said blocking Scottish MPs from voting on the issue would be an attempt to “ensure there is minimal scrutiny”.