English Votes for English Laws and North Wales

In the Queen’s Speech on 27 May 2015, the Government announced that it would introduce changes to Standing Orders so that decisions affecting England (or England and Wales) “can be taken only with the consent of the majority of Members of Parliament representing constituencies in those parts of our United Kingdom”.  Its plans are outlined in the Conservative Party’s English manifesto.

The MacKay Commission on the consequences of devolution for the House of Commons, reported in March 2013.  It endorsed the principle that decisions affecting England should normally only be taken with the consent of a majority of MPs for constituencies in England.  It suggested some approaches to enable this to happen.

Concerns have been expressed that proposals for English votes for English laws could lead to two classes of MP. Difficulties have been identified in determining whether a piece of legislation affects only England; and in limiting the role of non-English MPs when legislation has cross-border effects.