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Tories to press ahead with 'English votes for English laws'

The Leader of the House William Hague has thrown down the gauntlet to Labour over English devolution.

After a meeting at Chequers between the Prime Minister and backbench MPs, it emerged that the Tories plan to press ahead with what were said to be "robust proposals" to give English MPs control over English laws.

"If other parties make it impossible to deal with these issues in tandem, " Mr Hague warned.

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SNP membership surges despite referendum 'No' vote

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has seen its membership surge by almost 5,000 following its defeat in the independence referendum, party officials said.

The party says its membership now stands at 30,486, a rise of 4,884 from Thursday when it was 25,642.

The independence debate sparked a massive interest in politics, leading to the highest ever turnout in any UK ballot and SNP business convener Derek Mackay said many of those who had joined the party since the vote would be new to politics.

SNP membership has risen despite a 'No' vote in the independence referendum. Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Archive/PA Images

Seeing our membership spike by nearly 5,000 is incredibly encouraging...many will be new to politics and they will continue the legacy of the referendum, and the amazing level of engagement we saw.

– SNP business convener Derek Mackay

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