David Cameron unveils 'English votes for English laws' plan
England manifesto proposes to ban Scottish MPs from voting on income tax south of the border
Scottish MPs could be banned from voting on income tax changes in England if the Conservatives win the next general election.
David Cameron today launched his party's first manifesto for England, with a new system of "English votes for English laws" as its centrepiece.
"Soon, the Scottish Parliament will be voting to set its own levels of income tax — and rightly so — but that has clear implications," he said in Lincolnshire this morning.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"English MPs will be unable to vote on the income tax paid by people in Aberdeen and Edinburgh while Scottish MPs are able to vote on the tax you pay in Birmingham or Canterbury or Leeds. It is simply unfair. And with 'English votes for English laws' we will put it right."
The Smith Commission, set up after the Scottish independence referendum, recommended that that the Scottish parliament should set its own income tax rates and bands and retain all income tax revenue raised north of the border.
The Conservatives want to remove voting rights from Scottish MPs for any issue devolved to Holyrood, which also includes measures in areas such as jobs, health and housing.
Former foreign secretary William Hague appeared alongside Cameron to outline a timetable for delivering the new system.
The Guardian notes that the manifesto was unveiled in one of the stronger areas of Ukip support, underlining Cameron's determination to squeeze Ukip voters' resolve.
"A serious crack in the Ukip vote – which until now has been resilient – is a precondition of a Tory majority government," says the newspaper.
Labour has accused the Tories of trying to create a "two-tier Commons" for narrow party advantage.
Cameron has denied supporting English nationalists and insists the Tories do not want a separate English parliament. The party has also published Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish manifestos.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine solutions - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
John Swinney: the SNP's ultimate 'safe pair of hands'
Why Everyone's Talking About Former leader described as a 'serious person for serious times' is front runner to replace Humza Yousaf
By The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
How will honeytrap scandal change Westminster?
Today's Big Question Security procedures laid bare by spear phishing attack as focus shifts to 'political insider' being responsible
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Farewell to Theresa May: a PM consumed by Brexit
Talking Point Maidenhead MP standing down at next general election
By The Week UK Published
-
Britain's biggest political donors
The Explainer With the 2024 general election set to be the highest-spending contest ever we look at who is giving to which party and why
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published