What is the west lothian question?
The West Lothian question asks why MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can vote on England-only laws. English MPs cannot vote on matters devolved to those nations. It was raised in 1977 by Tam Dalyell, the MP for West Lothian, during debates on Scottish devolution.
Since devolution in 1999, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have had their own parliaments for areas such as health and education. England does not. Its laws on those areas are made by the whole UK Parliament, including MPs from the devolved nations. Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own legislatures, so the same question applies to their MPs.
This creates an apparent unfairness. A law on English hospitals can pass with the votes of Scottish MPs, even though the same law would not apply in Scotland. In practice it rarely changes outcomes, but it has happened, such as on tuition fees in England in 2004. Such votes have been rare, but they fuel the debate.
From 2015 to 2021 Parliament used English Votes for English Laws, a procedure giving English MPs a veto over England-only measures. It was scrapped as complex and little used. Other proposed answers include an English parliament, regional assemblies or reducing the number of devolved-nation MPs. None has gained broad support. England has about 84% of the UK population, so it already holds most Commons seats. It matters most when a UK government relies on MPs from outside England for its majority.
Many on the left prefer devolving power to English regions and mayors rather than creating an English parliament.
Many on the right are more open to English votes for English laws or an English parliament, to protect English voters.
Britain is split. Now you decide.
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Play Population Decides freeCommon questions
Why is it called the West Lothian question?
It was posed by the MP for West Lothian in 1977 during debates on Scottish devolution.
What was English Votes for English Laws?
A Commons procedure from 2015 to 2021 that gave English MPs a veto over England-only legislation.
Does England have its own parliament?
No. Laws for England are made by the UK Parliament at Westminster.