The Government was accused of risking the creation of a “disunited kingdom” after the Commons approved an historic change to give English MPs a veto over laws which affect only England.

Labour and the Scottish National Party accused the Conservatives of pandering to English nationalists and trying to dilute Ukip’s appeal, warning that the move could hasten the break-up of the United Kingdom. But the opposition parties failed to halt the controversial proposal for a new English-only “consent stage” for English-only bills. All MPs will take part in the later stages of their passage and the same system will apply for matters affecting only England and Wales.

The landmark reform has been agreed in the Commons by 312 votes to 270, a government majority of 42. Moves by Labour to derail them were rejected.

In a heated debate, ministers insisted the shake-up would finally address the so-called “West Lothian Question” under which English MPs do not vote on devolved matters affecting Scotland, including health and education, while Scottish MPs have a say on these issues in England.

But Labour claimed that “English votes for English laws” would end the 800-year-tradition under which all MPs were equal. Chris Bryant, the shadow Leader of the House, said: “Of course there should be a distinctive English voice in Parliament, but these government proposals will create two tiers of MPs for the first time, and are a charter to break up the UK.”

SNP MPs claimed the proposal was even more divisive than their own commitment to independence for Scotland. Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said the "stupid" plans would make Scottish members "second class citizens". He warned ministers: "Scotland is watching this and the mood is darkening. If this is an exercise in saving the Union, you could not have contrived of a more inept way to save the Union.”

English votes for English laws: What is it all about? Show all 7 1 /7 English votes for English laws: What is it all about? English votes for English laws: What is it all about? How would the Tories proposals work? Under the proposals, before a Bill or parts of a Bill which relate only to England was put to a final vote in the Commons, MPs for English seats would meet in an "English Grand Committee" to decide on whether or not it should proceed, Mr Hague today told BBC1's Breakfast. The committee stage, where the finer details of the bill and amendments are discussed, would also only be discussed by English MPs. The proposal however would still require a majority of all UK MPs to pass legislation. Mr Hague said: "That would really give English control over what is passed, but it would keep the United Kingdom Parliament together at the same time. "MPs from all parts of the UK would continue to debate, as they do now, anything they want. It is just that they would only be able to pass measures relating only to England with the agreement of the English MPs" PA English votes for English laws: What is it all about? So Scottish MPs would still be able to vote on matters which do not relate to their constituents? Yes, but Mr Hague has insisted the plans would mean English MPs would have the "decisive" say. Asked whether former SNP leader Alex Salmond, who is hoping to win a Westminster seat at the upcoming election in May, would be able to vote on English legislation, the Commons Leader said: "He will be voting on it but the decisive votes will be cast by the English Members of Parliament" English votes for English laws: What is it all about? Who would decide on what was an 'England-only' matter? So far, Mr Hague has said it would probably be for the Speaker of the Commons to decide which measures should be treated as England-only, adding there would have to be "a mechanism" for making the decisions. He told the BBC: "Most of the recommendations from all the studies have said you would have to ask the Speaker of the House of Commons or some other impartial authority to certify when a piece of legislation or part of it is English or English and Welsh or United Kingdom. That's the system we would have to adopt" PA English votes for English laws: What is it all about? Why does Mr Hague want to introduce the proposal? The Commons Leader is expected to argue that the reform is a "fundamental issue of fairness." He will say: "How could it possibly be right for the Scottish Parliament, for example, to vote for a reduction in Air Passenger Duty in Scotland and then for Scottish MPs to come to Westminster and be able to impose an increase in Air Passenger Duty in England? "You only have to think about this for a moment to see how fundamentally important this is and how such issues have to be addressed. Under our proposal this would not be possible without the agreement of English MPs. "The English veto should be extended to taxation when the equivalent decisions have been devolved to Scotland - and under a Conservative Government it will be" PA English votes for English laws: What is it all about? Are we likely to see the proposals in place anytime soon? Mr Hague wants to see the reforms debated in the Commons before the general election and has said the proposals will feature in the Conservative manifesto for the general election on 7 May. He said the plans will be "a very high priority" for the Tories if they win an outright majority in the election English votes for English laws: What is it all about? Is everybody happy with these proposals? Not really. The proposals have fallen short of the English parliament demanded by some MPs, including Tory former Cabinet minister John Redwood, who told the Daily Mail that the plans need to be "strengthened" in order to win support from Conservative MPs. He said: "Scotland can do what it likes under its devolved powers – we are asking for the same." It is believed that some Conservative MPs believe only the more radical option of giving Scottish MPs no vote at all on English matters would meet promises made by Prime Minister David Cameron, who directly linked the English votes issue to the granting of new powers to Holyrood in his immediate response to the rejection of independence by the electorate in Scotland. A Downing Street source has acknowledged there were "clearly different views" within the party but expected "very widespread support" for the chosen option Getty Images English votes for English laws: What is it all about? How is this likely to affect Labour? While some Tory MPs may feel the powers do not go far enough, there is likely to be some cheer among Conservative ranks over the potential difficulties it could raise for any future Labour government, reliant on its own Scottish MPs, or the support of the SNP, for a Commons majority. Mr Hague has in fact pointed out the proposed changes would curtail the ability of a future government which did rely on Scottish MPs' votes for a Westminster majority to pass legislation on England-only matters, including health, education and transport. He told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It would be able to get many things through that are United Kingdom matters, but when it came to England then it would have to have regard to the majority in England. That is a necessary corollary of greater devolution to Scotland and Wales"

Tommy Sheppard, SNP MP for Edinburgh East, claimed the move was “payback” for the general election result in Scotland and would “drive a wedge between our two countries greater than any that I would drive between them.” He said Scottish MPs would not have a vote at a bill’s final stages if it fell at its English-only stage.

Although Conservative MPs dropped their reservations about the Government’s original plans, one backbencher, Sir Edward Leigh, said: “We cannot do anything to add to a sense of grievance in Scotland."

Chris Grayling, the Leader of the Commons, insisted: “We are determined to strengthen the Union - we are devolving more powers across the United Kingdom, and now is the time to give the English more say over their own destiny."

Chris Grayling said the Tories were giving the English more say over their own destiny (AFP/Getty)

Denying that the change would create two classes of MP, he said it could be argued that such a system already existed. “If you are a Welsh MP, you can vote on education matters in England, but not in your own constituency. You have an Assembly Member who works alongside you doing that part of the work in Cardiff,” he said. He dismissed SNP objections as “ siren voices with a different agenda.”

But the Commons Leader sparked concern by suggesting that plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport might be considered “English-only” legislation if it were just a planning decision. That would cause a huge row because it would be seen as a strategic matter for the UK as a whole, with a knock-on effect in its three other nations.