Updated: Added a document with revised proposed changes.
The government has announced plans to change the way legislation is considered in the House of Commons. These plans aim to give English and Welsh MPs a fairer say over laws that only affect their constituencies and are on matters which have been devolved.
English votes for English laws addresses the so-called ‘West Lothian question’. Currently English MPs cannot vote on matters which have been devolved to other parts of the UK, but Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland MPs can vote on those same matters when the UK Parliament is legislating solely for England.
These proposals change the the way that the House of Commons considers legislation. The changes would mean that MPs with constituencies in England (and where relevant England and Wales) are asked to give their consent to legislation that only affects England (or England and Wales) for matters that are devolved elsewhere in the UK. Those MPs will therefore have the opportunity to veto such legislation.
Subject to approval by the House of Commons, these changes will strengthen England’s voice, just as devolution has strengthened the voices of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland within the Union. The changes would mean that the legislative process is fair for everyone. All MPs will continue to be able to amend and vote on all legislation, as they can now.
Following discussion of the proposals in the House of Commons on 2 and 7 July, the government undertook to publish revised proposals.
Read the press release: English veto brings balance and fairness to Parliament.