This is about time.... 'English votes for English laws' plans unveiled 16 December 2014 BBC News Commons Leader William Hague has said legislation affecting just England should only be passed "with the consent of the majority" of English MPs. He announced four options for "English votes for English laws" in Parliament, including giving English MPs enhanced scrutiny and a veto over new laws. He said new arrangements for England were a "fundamental issue of fairness". But Labour said the plans, which follow the pledge of new powers for Scotland, were a "backroom stitch-up". The options announced by Mr Hague in a Commons statement include three Conservative proposals and one Lib Dem suggestion. They are: Barring Scottish MPs from any role in English and Welsh bills. Allowing English MPs to have a greater say over the early readings of bills, including in tabling amendments, before allowing all MPs to vote on the final stages. Giving English MPs a veto over certain legislation at committee stage. A separate Lib Dem plan to establish a grand committee of English MPs, with the right to veto legislation applying only England, with its members based on the share of the vote. Many Conservatives argue that it is unfair that Scottish MPs should currently help decide how things such as schools and the health service are run in England when English MPs have no such say over how they are run in Scotland. "Devolution to other parts of the United Kingdom has created the situation in which MPs representing constituencies outside England may vote on legislation which does not affect their constituents while English MPs are not able to influence these policies in other nations where they are devolved," Mr Hague said. The Commons leader said the proposals built on the recommendations of last year's McKay Commission, which supported the principle that Commons decisions with a "separate and distinct effect" for England should "normally be taken only with the consent of a majority of MPs sitting for constituencies in England". This principle would also apply to legislation relating to England and Wales only. Mr Hague added: "Just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, it follows that the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland will have an opportunity to have a bigger say over theirs." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30484453
