Ed Miliband Sides With The SNP Over English Votes For English Laws

Ed Miliband Even Surprised Himself With His Pro-SNP Position On EVEL
Opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband makes a speech at The ARC Theatre & Arts Centre on living standards in Stockton-on-Tees, northeast England, on April 27, 2015. Britain goes to the polls to elect a new parliament on May 7. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband makes a speech at The ARC Theatre & Arts Centre on living standards in Stockton-on-Tees, northeast England, on April 27, 2015. Britain goes to the polls to elect a new parliament on May 7. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
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Former Labour leader Ed Miliband on Tuesday surprised even himself by siding with the Scottish National Party over the Government's proposed legislation nicknamed 'English Votes for English Laws' - or 'EVEL'.

The Doncaster MP decried the barring of Scottish MPs from being allowed to vote on policy areas only affecting English constituents as "an act of constitutional vandalism".

Miliband said he agreed with Gordon MP Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland, who is a strong opponent of EVEL.

"I find myself agreeing with the Honourable Member for Gordon," Miliband said.

"Now that doesn't happen very often."

Unlikely allies: Salmond and Miliband

In a blistering criticism of the government's proposals, Miliband went on to accuse House of Commons leader Chris Grayling of having drawn up legislation designed to put a stop to over 130 years of bickering on the issue "on the back of a fag packet".

Grayling retorted, asking why Miliband had not, when he was Labour party leader in the months leading up to the General Election, responded to an invitation for cross-party talks.

The Doncaster MP hit back, saying the Tories had used the debate an an election weapon in the months before May.

"It turns out it was quite an effective election weapon," he added.

Miliband's speech even won him over a few more fans, many congratulating the former Labour leader on his speech.

He was even congratulated by veteran Conservative MP Sir Ed Leigh, who said it was a "great honour" to speak after Miliband, praising his "great passion".

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