Labour MPs opposing devolution could face disciplinary action

A three-line whip has already been applied to Labour MPs on the Referendum Bill. The Welsh Secretary, Ron Davies, said the government's majority was large enough to withstand opposition from the odd individual MP, but he added that anyone who vocally campaigned against devolution would not be tolerated.

Ron Davies: cracking down on opposition to devolution

Mr Davies said: "I do not believe it is appropriate for any Labour Member of Parliament to take any course of action which would include, for example, associating with others in opposition to our campaign or indeed publicly campaigning on their own behalf against our proposals."

A Labour Party spokesman said that a decision on disciplinary action would be up to the constituency party or the party's disciplinary committee.

The maverick Labour MP, Tam Dalyell, who has long opposed devolution, said he would vote against a Scottish parliament in the proposed referendum. Mr Dalyell has argued that there is the danger of an unfair situation whereby members of a Scottish parliament vote on Scottish issues while, at the same time, Scottish MPs sitting at Westminster have a say on issues affecting Britain as a whole.