Scots MPs ‘could not be PM again’ under Evel

A Scottish MP could not be Prime Minister or Speaker again with Tory plans for English votes for English laws (Evel), Labour’s shadow Commons leader Chris Bryant has warned.

Chris Bryant said the move would undermine the Union. Picture: Getty

Giving evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee, Mr Bryant warned the UK Government’s plans to impose Evel will “undermine” the Union and claimed the Speaker would need to “quadruple” the legal advice to decide if Bills are English only.

Asked if it would prevent Scots MPs taking senior positions in the House, he said: “There is a real danger that there would never be another Scottish Speaker again or Welsh one.” When SNP committee chairman Pete Wishart said that it would prevent Scots or Welsh become Prime Minister again, Mr Bryant said: “You make a very strong argument.”