Topic Originator: dave67
Date: Tue 3 Jul 21:15
WE'D heard rumours earlier, and now it has happened – the SNP have forced divisions in the House of Commons over spending estimates.
It means MPs will have to spend the evening in voting lobbies rather than watching the England game.
The Tories are on a three-line whip and – as you might have assumed – Labour seem to be abstaining.
Estimates Day sees MPs consider the estimates of public spending by government departments.
Normally they don't bother with votes – it's a dull affair and they can get away with it.
But this time, the SNP have forced divisions.
It highlights the ridiculous lack of electronic voting in the archaic Commons. Previously, this factor helped leave a debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill with just 15 minutes dedicated to its impact on Scotland.
Plus, it's a nice bit of revenge after a Tory MP boasted about skipping a debate on the power grab to watch a previous England game.
And this vote has implications. As Kirsty Blackman pointed out: "To be clear, the estimates is the breakdown of UK Government spending by department. It’s our only chance to vote on UK Government spending. It’s not really obscure.
"The process has only been changed this year to make it less obscure after pressure from us. It should be reformed further though!"
And, let's face it, if Westminster are going to trample over the devolution settlement to steal powers from Scotland, why not give them a taste of their own medicine? A hilarious one, too.
All the divisions were won by a margin of around 250 votes. Yet, because the SNP can shout very loudly, Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing's best efforts to say "the Ayes have it" were futile ... she had to keep calling divisions.
It raises an important point about Commons procedure.
And it annoyed the Tories. Andrew Bridgen, Tory MP for North West Leicestershire, reportedly said: “The SNP are the Millwall of Brexit. Everyone hates them and they don’t care."
At one point, a Tory MP raised a point of order asking if the SNP would be forcing these votes had Scotland been playing.
Deputy Speaker Laing – born in Paisley – said it wasn't a point of order ... but joked that she hoped Scotland would one day be playing in a big game again."
After the fifth division was completed, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford raised a point of order.
He said: “Perhaps it is pertinent given some of the angst from the government benches to point out what has happened this evening.
"The reason we’re here is because of government business. It is the government that is responsible for timetabling. And this was the only opportunity we have had to speak out against the continued austerity from this Conservative government and the attack on the budget of Scotland.
"But more importantly, three weeks ago we had a power grab against the powers of the Scottish Parliament. And I signalled to the Conservative Government then, that what they have done, is act against the consent of the Scottish parliament and the Scottish people ... it would no longer be business as usual, and I now commend the Scottish National Party for standing up for Scotland tonight.
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"And I say to this Conservative Government – that we will use parliamentary procedure to oppose this government every inch of the way, and to make sure that the Scottish National Party stand up for the rights of the Scottish Parliament until Westminster recognises that they must reverse the power grab against the Scottish Parliament.”
We send our deepest condolences to the poor politicians.
Let`s try making it till Christmas
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