Cameron promises 'English votes for English laws'

David Cameron will today promise "English votes for English people" as he sets out the Conservatives' first English manifesto.

The Prime Minister will set out a series of changes to ensure English MPs have the final say on income tax rates in England.

If the Tories get in, they hope to implement the plan within a year of the May 7 election.

They also promise to extend it to financial issues in reflection of the devolution of tax-raising powers to Scotland.

From the Budget expected in March, whenever taxes have been devolved to Scotland, Conservative plans would require the consent of English, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs to set the level in those parts of the United Kingdom.

A Conservative government would bring forward proposals within 100 days of the election for amendments to House of Commons rules to give an effective veto over England-only issues to English MPs.

Where measures also apply to Wales or Northern Ireland - as with income tax - MPs from those nations will also be involved.

Launching the English manifesto, Mr Cameron is expected to say: "We do not support English nationalists, we do not want an English Parliament, we are the Conservative and Unionist Party through and through.

"This manifesto simply recognises that the democratic picture has got more complicated in the UK, so beyond our main manifesto, English voters deserve one document, clarifying in black and white what they can expect.

"Soon, the Scottish Parliament will be voting to set its own levels of income tax - and rightly so - but that has clear implications.

"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."