Scottish MPs voting on policies that don’t impact north of the border is “a price worth paying” for keeping the union, an English MP has said.
Jacob Rees-Mogg called the way in which devolution leaves representatives at Westminster able to influence decisions they don’t have to explain to their constituents “absurd” and “very unfair” on the English.
A constitutional anomaly the West Lothian Question means Scottish MPs can vote on English laws for issues such as health and education that are devolved to Holyrood.
Mr Rees-Mogg said the English should think carefully about the independence vote and conclude “we have to make a sacrifice” to preserve the “nation that has done more good in the world than any other country you can name. That is the United Kingdom it’s not just England.”
He also stated his belief that 90% of England would come out in favour of Scotland staying with the UK when it comes to next September.
All the unionist parties have promised to devolve more powers to Holyrood if Scots reject independence.
Tory Scotland Office Minister David Mundell told the meeting that devolving financial powers to Holyrood would make it more accountable for raising the money it spends on “free” benefits like prescriptions and tuition fees.