Tory candidate calls on rivals to ‘do right thing’ on English votes
THE Tory candidate for the Heywood and Middleton seat has called on Labour to ‘do the right thing’ by backing English votes for English law.
Iain Gartside has said he supports plans by David Cameron to make sure that legislation effecting solely England is only voted on by English MPs.
As it stands MPs representing countries in the UK which have devolved powers can still vote on laws exclusive to England.
Labour Leader Ed Miliband has so far refused to publicly back the proposals. Mr Gartside said: “I am calling on Labour politicians across the north west to do the right thing and demand English laws.
“MPs should not vote on matters that do not affect their constituents, this is basic democracy.
“I wouldn’t expect to be able to vote in the Scottish Parliament on say, a health issue in Edinburgh.
“So far Labour’s response nationally has been a joke, with Ed Miliband shying away from this needed democratic change in a completely unacceptable way.”
The by-election for the Heywood and Middleton seat, which includes Castleton, Norden and Bamford, is set to take place on October 9, after the death of Jim Dobbin.
BY-ELECTION candidates standing are: John Bickley - UKIP Iain Gartside - Conservative Abi Jackson - Green Liz McInnes - Labour Anthony Smith - Lib Dem