West Lothian question

British  

noun

1. the apparent inconsistency that members of parliament who represent Scottish constituencies are eligible to vote at Westminster on matters that relate only to England, whereas members of parliament from English constituencies are not eligible to vote on Scottish matters

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Etymology

Origin of West Lothian question

C20: because the issue was first raised by the Scottish politican Tam Dalyell (born 1932) at the time when he was MP for West Lothian

Example Sentences

Tony Blair's first Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, was once quoted as saying the best thing to do about the West Lothian question was to "stop asking it".

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2018

Or was it the asymmetrical constitutional ramifications inherent in the West Lothian question?

From The Guardian • Aug. 3, 2015

"The question of English votes for English laws — the so-called West Lothian question — requires a decisive answer."

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2014

On College Green outside Parliament, my colleague Andrew Neil asked him if a lack of consensus on the West Lothian question would hold up further Scottish devolution.

From BBC • Sep. 21, 2014

Liam Fox, a former-Conservative defence minister, also said the West Lothian question and the funding settlement between all UK nations would become "unavoidable" to address.

From The Guardian • Sep. 18, 2014