Majority support English votes for English Laws

A University of Edinburgh study, which compared support for different constitutional settlements for England, found majority support for EVEL across parties and regions. 

 

However, views on the measure, which would limit the input of Scottish MPs in matters already devolved to Holyrood, vary according to party affiliation and region, the research demonstrated.

 

The report found that 84 per cent Conservative voters backed EVEL, compared to 59 per cent of Labour supporters. Support was highest in the East Midlands, at 75 per cent, and lowest in Greater London, where only 66 per cent backed the measure.

 

When asked to pick one constitutional option, EVEL came out on top in all regions of England. However, the extent of its lead over other possibilities is also varied.

 

In its conclusions, the report states: “Our results suggest that all three proposals – EVEL, regional assemblies, and city regions – have significant levels of support and ought to be further debated. EVEL is not, as some suggest, the silver bullet answer to ‘the English Question’.”

 

David Cameron threw his support behind EVEL the day after the referendum, declaring the question "requires a decisive answer".

 

In Greater London EVEL was the most favoured choice but was found to be only slightly more popular (35 per cent) than the status quo (32 per cent).

 

Labour voters were the only group to show preference for giving greater power to city regions (60 per cent), over EVEL, at 59 per cent.

 

Support for an English Parliament was found to be generally the least favourite option, with 11 to 17 per cent choosing it as the top option.

 

The results also differed with age, with 84 per cent of voters over 65 saying they supported EVEL in comparison to 52 per cent of voters aged 18 to 24.

 

Dr Daniel Kenealy, one of the authors of the study, said: “Our results demonstrate that the so-called 'English Question' remains a complex one. Whilst voters are generally in favour of English Votes for English Laws, it is clear that this solution can and should co-exist alongside plans for city regions and perhaps new thinking on regionalism.