Headline-grabbing Nats blamed for defeat

SNP’ ‘hypocrisy’ killed extended hours plan

Politicians rounded on the SNP yesterday after the Government suffered a humiliating Commons defeat over plans to extend Sunday trading hours.

Despite David Cameron holding lastditch talks with backbenchers, and a failed attempt to table a compromise amendment, Tory rebels joined forces with Labour and the Nats as the vote was lost 317 to 286 – a majority of 31.

Shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said the Government should now abandon “tawdry attempts” to force the plans through parliament.

But communities minister Brandon Lewis accused the SNP of hypocrisy, as similar measures are already in place in Scotland.

“Majority in English and Welsh MPs for Sunday Trading,” he posted on Twitter. “SNP stop rest of country have freedom Scotland has.”

MPs were denied the opportunity to debate the 11th-hour compromise, after speaker John Bercow declined to provide Commons time. Ministers then tried to win over sceptics by promising the pilot scheme will instead be tabled in the House of Lords if they reject the rebel amendment.

Meanwhile, results of an assessment of the potential impact of extended hours suggested liberalisation could benefit the UK economy by an estimated £1.5 billion or more over 10 years.

Setting out details of the latest concession, Mr Lewis said the Government was ready to ditch its plan to extend powers to set Sunday opening hours to councils nationwide on the first day of the new regime.

The prospect of a damaging Commons defeat was raised after the SNP said it would vote with Tory rebels to block the Sunday trading measure.

The move – after the SNP had previously indicated they would abstain – infuriated ministers, with a Government source branding their action as “disappointing and hypocritical”.

Addressing MPs after the defeat, Business Secretary Sajid Javid said he had “respect” for those who opposed Sunday Trading in principle.

“However, I am extremely disappointed by the childish and hypocritical actions of the SNP.”

Pressed on whether the Government would now drop the plans altogether, Mr Javid added: “It was denied because of the SNP. The only thing the SNP was interested in today was headlines.”