English Votes on English Laws (Evel) is meaningless. It does not answer the West Lothian question.

Clive Lavelle of the English Democrats had this letter published in the Western Daily Press on November 14th.  He points out the inadequacy of English Votes on English Laws.

Evel is not answer to British problem.

I am no fan of the idea of relaxing Sunday trading restrictions.

However, a government proposal to do just that in England has been scuppered by none other than the Scottish National Party.

It feared that if the proposal were implemented, wages in Scotland might be driven down.

This demonstrates two things. The first is that SNP politicians in the UK parliament are there, not for the benefit of the UK, but for that of Scotland. Secondly, English Votes on English Laws (Evel) is meaningless. Despite this being an England-only issue, the Scots blew it out of the water.

This is because Evel is entirely negative. Under Evel, British MPs sitting for English constituencies can only veto legislation affecting England alone. It does not prevent Scottish MPs vetoing such legislation.

Evel has been billed as the answer to the English (aka the West Lothian) question. It clearly is not. Only an English parliament can answer that question.

Clive Lavelle.

Weston-super-Mare English Democrats.

I recall that the SNP once had a policy of voting in the Westminster Parliament only when an issue impacted on Scotland.  Now it seems policies in England on matters ranging from fox-hunting to Sunday trading have, in the SNP's view, an effect on people in Scotland.  The reason for this change of thought by the SNP is understandable and obvious.  In order to further their cause of independence they are determined to interfere, whenever the opportunity arises, in the domestic affairs of England and cause as much disruption, mischief and annoyance to English political decision making as possible.  I say bring on independence - English independence!