Scotland's Unused Parliamentary Chamber

Lords Won't Block Devolution

The Conservative Opposition will focus on the turnout, arguing that there should be a threshold of about 60-70% in the referendums before they become valid, and claiming a small turnout, of about 30%, would not represent the will of the people.

The Bill paves the way for a two-question referendum in Scotland, asking the people to endorse a Scottish Parliament with tax-raising powers, and a one-question referendum in Wales, asking whether the Welsh want an Assembly, but without the power to vary taxes.

A leading Tory source said that the long-standing Salisbury Convention, which prevents the Lords from overturning a measure which was in the governing party's manifesto, would stand. This means that the Lords would not overturn the Government's Referendums Bill and the Opposition would not vote against tomorrow's second reading. The Opposition have agreed a timetable with the Government in the Lords which will allow the Bill to become law at the end of July. There will be four days' committee stage debate, two days' report stage and one day for third reading. The Bill was rushed through the Commons, despite furious Tory protests, in four days.

The Lords might ask the House to divide on the electorate, complaining that Scots living in England and overseas were disenfranchised under the Government's proposals.