 English votes for English laws? |
Why should Welsh and Scottish MPs vote on laws applying to England when English MPs cannot vote on subjects devolved to Wales or Scotland?
That, in essence, is the so-called West Lothian question, which is again at the centre of political debate.
The Conservatives plan to address it by making sure only English MPs vote on issues affecting England alone.
But their critics, like Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, feel that this could endanger the Union between Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Welsh and Scottish MPs helped bring university top-up fees and foundation hospitals to England, even though those changes don't currently apply in their own constituencies.
Tory policy
Conservative Leader David Cameron has asked former Chancellor Ken Clarke to map out Tory policy on the future of democracy.
It has been made clear some form of "English votes for English questions" will be at the centre of that policy.
Former Tory Home Secretary Lord Baker of Dorking has also drafted a private members bill to prevent Welsh and Scottish MPs voting on England-only issues.
Lord Baker said: "Why should somebody who represents Swansea or Cardiff or Anglesey tell my former constituents in Dorking how to run their schools, how to run their hospitals, how to run their roads, how to run their agriculture, how to run their planning when no English Member of Parliament has any say on that in Wales at all?
"That has all gone to the Assembly."
Union threatened
The Welsh Secretary Peter Hain argues a policy of "English votes for English laws" would threaten the Union between the United Kingdom's different parts.
Mr Hain said: "The Conservatives used to be called the Conservative and Unionist Party. They should re-title themselves the Conservative and Independence Party.
"Once you say there are two classes of MPs, that Welsh MPs cannot vote in Parliament on many issues then Welsh voters are going to feel that they are excluded from Parliament and maybe they are being excluded from the UK.
"It is a prescription for Nationalism to succeed, not a prescription for the Union of the UK - Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland together - to work together with England."
Union defended
But Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan says her party remains a defender of the Union.
Ms Gillan said: "We have taken what I believe is the sensible route. David Cameron has set up this Commission under Ken Clarke to look at it.
"We do not know what the full outcome will be but there are many possibilities."
If the Conservatives do pursue English votes for English laws, that will not be enough for some.
Members of the Campaign for an English Parliament like devolution in Wales and Scotland so much that they want to see it happen in England too.
The Campaign argues an English Parliament should deal with English domestic matters alongside a Westminster Parliament acting on matters which concern the entire Union.
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