EVEL used for first time in Commons

The House of Commons was accused of becoming an English Parliament last night as Scots MPs were prevented on voting for the first time under the Government's English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) parliamentary mechanism.

In unprecedented scenes a 'grand committee' of English and Welsh MPs debated housing, which in Scotland is devolved to Holyrood, and signs were posted in the voting lobbies barring MPs from Scotland from voting.

The "consent motion" for England and Wales was agreed without a division.

Conservative MPs cheered as the move was agreed, while Labour called it "procedural nonsense". SNP MPs reacted angrily. 

Pete Wishart MP said Scotland is "being driven out the door" of the UK.

"For the first time in the history of this House, of this parliament, members of parliament will be banned from participating in divisions of this House based on nationality and geographic location of constituency," he said.

Debate on the bill lasted until 2am, after Conservative ministers had snuck in more than 60 pages of new legislation at the last minute, including redefining 'affordable housing' to include homes for sale costing up to £450,000, and handing local planning over to private companies.