Conservative MP Imran Ahmad Khan described Wakefield as the “heart of God’s own country” when calling for new court facilities in his constituency in the Commons today.

He said that the “sad demise” of Wakefield’s magistrates’ court meant they were “unable to hand down punishments upon wrongdoers” in the town.

But Commons Leader Mr Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, replied: “There are also wrongdoers like my honourable friend who get confused about which county is God’s own county.

Handout photo issued by UK Parliament of Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg during the debate in the House of Commons on the EU (Future Relationship) Bill. Photo: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor

“For the record, it is Somerset not Yorkshire – nice place though Yorkshire is.”

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who represents Chorley, made the case for Lancashire.

Mr Rees-Mogg added: “Lancashire, Mr Speaker, is marvellous too but only Somerset is God’s own county.”

The phrase “God’s own country” can be used interchangeably with “God’s own county”, and is used to highlight areas apparently favoured by God.

Jacob Rees-Mogg: 'Yorkshire is not God's own country, Somerset is'