THE POWER PLEDGE - I want real accountability

There is a fundamental unfairness at the heart of the UK.

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each have their own parliament or assembly with powers over education, health and other areas. But MPs from these devolved nations sitting in Westminster can still vote on laws that will apply in England, but not their own countries.

Controversial laws on top up fees for English universities, foundation hospitals and the third runway at Heathrow have been passed thanks to the votes of non-English MPs.

English votes on English laws is one possible solution to the "English Question", the question of the constitutional status of England now that devolution has taken place to the other nations of the UK.

It describes a system where only English MPs vote on matters affecting only England and only English and Welsh MPs vote on matters affecting only England and Wales.