DUP-Tory Farce

[anser2]

-The DUP can't vote on English laws (due to the EVEL law passed in 2015); this meant the Tories only have a majority when it comes to Brexit and the DUP promised a soft Brexit in their manifesto (due to the border with Ireland). This means the Tories can't vote through their manifesto without the consent of other parties MPs (and it looks like a lot of their own MPs will vote against anyway).
-if it becomes evident they can't pass bills then there will be a vote of no confidence and there will be another election (hence BJ getting ready to oppose her)
-technically there can't be a coalition with the DUP due to the peace agreement and our promise of neutrality, so there is a "supply of consent"- so the Tories are a minority government.

 

It look to me that this govenment is about to enter a serious mine field that it might not be able to get out of.

-

UK Politics

English votes: A beginner's guide

• 22 October 2015
• From the sectionUK Politics

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Image copyrightPAImage captionThe government is giving English MPs a veto over some legislation

The government is attempting to change the way MPs make laws to reflect the fact that the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood is getting more power.

It is trying to solve a problem that has dogged Westminster for decades - why should Scottish (and sometimes Welsh and Northern Irish MPs) get a say over laws that only affect England when English MPs no longer have a say over an increasing tranche of areas - like schools.

The solution it has come up with is a complex one, to anyone not steeped in the arcane procedures of the House of Commons. And it is attracting criticism from all sides.

Here's what is going on and why it matters.

Why does it matter? Image copyrightREUTERS

When Scotland voted last year to remain part of the UK, David Cameron promised significantly increased powers for the Scottish Parliament, including the ability to set some tax and benefit levels.

At the same time, he promised English MPs they would get more power too - they would be able to legislate in areas such as health and education without any input from MPs representing Scottish seats. He called it "English Votes for English Laws", which got shortened to EVEL.

Getting the balance of power between the different legislative bodies right is seen as important to the future of the UK. If the Westminster Parliament is going to have any authority, voters from all parts of the country must feel they are being fairly represented.

Why not just set up an English Parliament? Image copyrightPAImage captionThe vast majority of MPs in the House of Commons represent English constituencies

This is what the SNP - who are firmly opposed to EVEL - claim the government is trying to do, in all but name. They claim the current plans will just make their MPs at Westminster "second class" citizens.

Some argue that an English Parliament would strengthen the SNP's case for an independent Scotland, further weakening the ties that bind the UK together.

That has not stopped many Conservative MPs, who are in favour of the Union, calling for one to be set up to curb the power of Scottish MPs at Westminster.

The government is against an English Parliament - and it has come up with a formula it hopes will keep English and Scottish MPs happy. It is a big ask.

So how will it work exactly?

All laws passed at Westminster will, in theory, continue to have the backing of the majority of MPs, just as they do now.

But an extra stage will be introduced in the middle of the law-making process, allowing English MPs to block anything they don't like the look of in bills deemed to be "England only".

Explain that again, with the correct jargon

The government will give English MPs a new "veto" over laws that only affect England.

In some cases it will be MPs from England and Wales who will get a say on laws not affecting Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Under the government's proposals, an England-only committee stage will consider bills deemed "England-only in their entirety", while agreement of a "Legislative Grand Committee" will be required for individual parts of legislation that relate only to England or England and Wales.

All MPs will vote on the other stages of the bill's journey through Parliament.

Edited June 10, 2017 by anser2

[Gordon R]

Don't know what the hysteria is about. Not the first minority government, nor will it be the last.

[Jaymo]

Don't know what the hysteria is about. Not the first minority government, nor will it be the last.

Agreed....

Minority, but a greater majority than Labour

We all know it's not ideal and as long as it's sufficient to keep the Country governed then I'm ok with that.

[daveboy]

It's not ideal but it looks like pensioners will keep the triple lock and winter fuel payments.

[Donegalcharlie]

Being from Northern Ireland this is very interesting!

[Twistedsanity]

Don't know what the hysteria is about. Not the first minority government, nor will it be the last.

I don't follow politics but are these the first party to give away their majority through sheer arrogance? or maybe it was to avoid the ensuing public onslaught when(or if) the election fraud prosecutions by several local police forces that are pending against a lot of their mp's come out later this month?

[big bad lindz]

I havent done the sum`s yet but taking the 10 DUP seats/votes and the 12 Scottish conservative seats/votes off, the conservative`s will have 22

votes less in matters arising for the English & Welsh so where does that leave the opposition numbers bearing in mind that the Scottish Labour,

Lib Dems,& SNP will also not be able to vote on these matters.

 

I think its votes/seats for the bigger Brexit picture and other important matters within the whole of the UK that will be needed by the Torys

to get things passed.

[sako751sg]

As Gordon R says,happened before and will happen again.

What it does mean is that a lot of the Tory manifesto will be discarded to the bin which wont be a bad thing.

[Gordon R]

sako - it might be no bad thing at all. A wake up call for May and those who advocate harsher policies.

[Lloyd90]

Might just end up with a Tory government that doesn't cut public services as much, who knows, could be good all round.

[Gordon R]

Labour started the cuts and a whole lot more.

[Dr D]

This post is not correct. The cons have an outright majority in England. They can carry anything they like that only affects England. Cons have 297 English MPs all the rest put together only have 237 English MPs.