1.3 - Devolution

Question 1

Question 1
How is the Welsh Government different from the rest of the UK?

Answer 1

It has been dominated by the Labour Party since its creation in 1999.

Question 2

Question 2
How does the First Minister differ from the Welsh Cabinet Secretary?

Answer 2

• First Minister – Political & governmental leader of Wales, holds no authority in Westminster.
• Welsh Cabinet Secretary – MP, UK Cabinet member, part of the UK Government.

Question 3

Question 3
Does Wales have an equivalent to No. 10 Downing Street?

Answer 3

No, but the Welsh Government’s main office is Ty Hywel, near the Senedd building.

Question 4

Question 4
How has the First Minister’s power grown since the Senedd’s creation in 1999?

Answer 4

• Title changed from First Secretary to First Minister, aligning with Scotland’s system.
• Granted the title of Keeper of the Welsh Seal, formally appointed by the Monarch.
• Became a member of the Privy Council, advising the Sovereign.

Question 5

Question 5
How is the First Minister selected?

Answer 5

• Elected as leader of their party - E.g. Eluned Morgan elected leader of Welsh Labour.
• Must be elected by Senedd members - E.g. Eluned Morgan confirmed as FM in 2024.

Question 6

Question 6
What are the First Minister’s main duties?

Answer 6

• Liaise with the Welsh Cabinet Secretary & Prime Minister over Welsh governance issues.
• Lead the Welsh Government, set policy & direct decision-making (e.g., Mark Drakeford independently led Wales’ Covid-19 response).
• Decide policies in devolved areas (health, education, etc.) (e.g., oversaw free prescription introduction in Wales).
• Appoint Ministers to oversee different areas of governance (health, education, transport, etc.).
• Answerable to the Senedd & held accountable through First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) every Thursday at noon.

Question 7

Question 7
Who chairs the Welsh Cabinet?

Answer 7

The First Minister, who directs and determines proceedings.

Question 8

Question 8
Where and when does the Welsh Cabinet meet?

Answer 8

Normally on Mondays in Cathays Park, Cardiff

Question 9

Question 9
Who attends Cabinet meetings?

Answer 9

All Ministers.
* Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Secretary & Secretariat.
* Special advisers, Private Secretaries & Press Officers.
* Senior civil servants presenting departmental issues.

Question 10

Question 10
What is a political Cabinet?

Answer 10

Monthly meetings where civil servants leave, and only party-political issues are discussed.

Question 11

Question 11
How do subcommittees function within the Welsh Cabinet?

Answer 11

They examine specific areas of policy & legislation, reporting back to the full Cabinet as needed.

Question 12

Question 12
What are the main duties of the Welsh Cabinet?

Answer 12

• Determine policy presentation.
• Make decisions that bind the government collectively.
• Settle disputes between Ministers & departments.
• Legitimize decisions made elsewhere in the government.
• Respond to external events & maintain relations with Westminster (e.g., Joint Ministerial Committee).
• Oversee major committees/commissions examining Welsh policy.
• Set electoral & strategic political agendas.
• Manage coalition partnerships or government strategies.
• Ensure effective governance for re-election purposes

Question 13

Question 13
What is Collective Ministerial Responsibility in the Welsh Cabinet?

Answer 13

• Ministers must collectively support all government policies.
• Public dissent requires resignation or dismissal.
• Private disagreements must be defended in public.
• Resigning due to policy disputes is seen as honorable, and ex-ministers may return in the future.

Question 14

Question 14
Why is collective responsibility harder to maintain in Wales?

Answer 14

• Wales’ smaller political structure means policies often impact Ministers’ constituencies directly.
• Minority or coalition governments mean the First Minister cannot afford to alienate Ministers.

Question 15

Question 15
How does collective responsibility apply beyond Ministers?

Answer 15

Committee chairs, even those outside the government, are expected to adhere to collective responsibility.

Question 16

Question 16
Why did Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews resign in 2013?

Answer 16

• He publicly campaigned against school closures in his constituency, violating cabinet policy.
• First Minister Carwyn Jones accepted his resignation, citing a conflict between ministerial duty & constituency obligations.

Question 17

Question 17
What are the Similarities between the UK & Welsh Cabinet?

Answer 17

• Both are appointed by their government head (PM & FM).
• Both have committees handling policy & legislation.
• Both include Ministers responsible for government departments.
• Both follow Collective Ministerial Responsibility.
• Both function as central policymaking bodies.

Question 18

Question 18
What are some Differences of the Welsh Cabinet from Uk Cabinet?

Answer 18

• Has 14 members.
• Committee chairs are also bound by Collective Responsibility.
• Focused solely on Welsh domestic policy (Westminster controls foreign affairs).
• Smaller size makes collective responsibility harder, as policy directly affects MS’ constituencies.
• All Ministers must attend Cabinet meetings.

Question 19

Question 19
What are some differences between UK Cabinet & Welsh Cabinet?

Answer 19

• Has 21 members.
• Includes Foreign Secretary (concerned with UK’s global standing).
• Ministers can more easily conform to Collective Responsibility.
• Only necessary Ministers attend ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ meetings.

Question 20

Question 20
What is the role of committees in the Senedd?

Answer 20

• Enable the Senedd to fulfil statutory & constitutional functions.
• Investigate issues & scrutinize Welsh Government decisions.
• Comprised of Senedd Members (MSs) from different party groups.
• Senedd decides committee chairs in Plenary.

Question 21

Question 21
What do Welsh committees examine?

Answer 21

Areas of Welsh law & policy that have been devolved from Westminster.

Question 22

Question 22
How does a committee decide to investigate an issue?

Answer 22

• Organisations & individuals suggest topics.
• Committee members decide to investigate but have not begun gathering evidence.

Question 23

Question 23
How do committees gather evidence?

Answer 23

• Issue a ‘call for evidence’—responses can be written, video, or audio.
• Invite individuals to give oral evidence in committee meetings.
• Conduct surveys, questionnaires & site visits to gather opinions.

Question 24

Question 24
What happens after evidence is gathered?

Answer 24

• Committee members review findings.
• Agree on recommendations (usually for the Welsh Government).
• Draft the final inquiry report

Question 25

Question 25 How is the report shared?

Answer 25

* Published on the committee’s web pages. * Sent electronically to the Welsh Government & contributors. * Welsh Government provides written responses within six weeks. * Debates in Plenary allow all MSs to discuss findings & responses

Question 26

Question 26 When is an inquiry considered complete?

Answer 26

Once the report is published & the Welsh Government has responded.

Question 27

Question 27 Can committees revisit past inquiries?

Answer 27

Yes—committees may investigate whether recommendations have been implemented.

Question 28

Question 28 What are the Similarities between the Senedd & Westminster Committees?

Answer 28

- Aim to scrutinize government policy & spending. - Cross-party membership ensures diverse viewpoints. - Committee chairs elected via secret ballot since 2016 (similar to Westminster). - Named after their policy areas (e.g., Finance Committee). - Activities are televised & transparent. - Recommendations do not have to be implemented by the government. - Experts provide insight & thorough investigation into government decisions.

Question 29

Question 29 What are the DIfferences between Senedd & Westminster Committees?

Answer 29

- Senedd committees can introduce legislation—Westminster committees cannot. - Senedd committees have 4-10 members; Westminster’s largest committee has 21 members. - Due to fewer MSs, many serve on multiple committees. - Senedd committees often have equal resources to Westminster committees.

Question 30

Question 30 What are some Key Senedd Committees?

Answer 30

* Finance Committee. * Legislative Consent Committee.

Question 31

Question 31 What are some Key Westminster Committees?

Answer 31

* Defence Committee. * Home Affairs Committee.

Question 32

Question 32 Example of an MS serving on multiple committees?

Answer 32

Lynne Neagle (MS for Torfaen) – Children, Young People & Education Committee + Finance Committee.

Question 33

Question 33 Example of an MP not serving on any committee?

Answer 33

Christopher Chope (Conservative MP for Christchurch).

Question 34

Question 34 What legislative powers does the Senedd have?

Answer 34

* Primary & secondary legislative powers. * Decision-making authority over education, health & social care. * Control over criminal justice & policing. * Powers to increase or decrease tax rates.

Question 35

Question 35 What mechanisms does the Senedd use to scrutinize government decisions?

Answer 35

* Debates & Questions (FMQs, Ministerial Questions, Urgent Questions, etc.). * Committees tasked with scrutinizing government policies & legislation. * Reports & inquiries evaluating government performance.

Question 36

Question 36 What are the key stages for passing legislation?

Answer 36

1️⃣ 1st Reading – Government introduces the Bill. 2️⃣ Committee Stage – Scrutinized by a Senedd committee. 3️⃣ Report Stage – Findings are presented to the Senedd. 4️⃣ Second Reading – Further debate & review. 5️⃣ Consideration of Amendments – Proposed changes reviewed. 6️⃣ Third Reading & Vote – Final approval by Senedd members. 7️⃣ Royal Assent – Bill formally becomes law

Question 37

Question 37 What economic powers does the Senedd have?

Answer 37

* Since the 2014 Wales Act, it can vary income tax rates up to 10% (without changing tax bands). * Full control over stamp duty tax rates & thresholds.

Question 38

Question 38 What changes have been introduced to the Senedd?

Answer 38

* Voting age reduced to 16. * Number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) increased from 60 to 65. * Electoral system changed to AMS (Additional Member System).

Question 39

Question 39 How are MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament?

Answer 39

* 129 MSPs elected via AMS (Additional Member System). * 73 MSPs elected by FPTP (57%). * 56 MSPs chosen from party lists. * Elections held every 5 years (previously every 4 years before 2011).

Question 40

Question 40

Answer 40

* 1998 Scotland Act – Primary legislative control over health, education, etc.; ability to alter income tax by ±3%. * 2012 Scotland Act – Increased tax powers (±10%); regulation of controlled drugs; borrowing up to £2.2 billion annually. * Some policy areas remain reserved for Westminster.

Question 41

Question 41 How are MSs elected to the Welsh Senedd?

Answer 41

* 60 MSs elected via AMS. * 40 MSs elected using FPTP. * 20 MSs chosen from party lists in 5 multi-member regions. * Elections held every 5 years (previously every 4 years before the 2014 Wales Act)

Question 42

Question 42 How have Welsh legislative powers evolved?

Answer 42

* Initially had only secondary legislative powers – could shape Westminster laws in devolved areas. * 2006 Wales Act – Granted primary legislative powers. * 2019 Wales Act – Allowed control over Welsh income tax rates.

Question 43

Question 43 How are NI Assembly members elected?

Answer 43

* 90 members elected via STV (Proportional Representation). * Elections every 5 years (previously every 4 years before 2011).

Question 44

Question 44 What legislative powers does Northern Ireland have?

Answer 44

* Similar policy-making powers to Scotland. * No control over income tax or other tax rates. * Corporation tax devolved in 2015. * Requires cross-community agreement (e.g., ‘Petition of Concern’ mechanism).

Question 45

Question 45 Evolution of Scottish Government

Answer 45

* Before 2007, the Scottish Government was known as the Scottish Executive. * Calman Commission (2009) recommended further devolved powers, leading to the 2012 Scotland Act. * Recommendations included tax-varying powers, policy control over drink-driving & speed limits.

Question 46

Question 46 How was the 2014 referendum organized?

Answer 46

* 2011 SNP election victory led to referendum promise. * 2012 Edinburgh Agreement granted Scotland temporary powers for referendum. * Voting age reduced to 16. * 55.3% voted ‘No’, 44.7% voted ‘Yes’ (84.5% turnout).

Question 47

Question 47 What did the 2016 Scotland Act introduce?

Answer 47

✅ Made Scottish devolved institutions permanent (require referendum to dissolve). ✅ Further taxation powers granted. ✅ Scotland now responsible for raising 50% of its spending. ✅ Legislative control over road signs, speed limits, etc.. ✅ Control over electoral system (¾ supermajority needed for changes).*

Question 48

Question 48 How did Northern Ireland’s governance evolve?

Answer 48

✅ 1922-1972 – Stormont governed Northern Ireland, dominated by Unionists. ✅ 1960s – IRA emerged in response to Catholic discrimination. ✅ 1969 – British troops sent in. ✅ 1972 – Stormont suspended, NI ruled directly from London. ✅ Failed attempts at power-sharing devolution until 1998. ✅ Good Friday Agreement (1998) restored devolved government after extensive negotiations.

Question 49

Question 49 What is the issue with MPs voting on England-only laws?

Answer 49

❌ MPs from devolved nations can vote on England-only laws. ❌ English MPs cannot vote on devolved matters affecting Scotland, Wales, or NI. ❌ Raised questions about the need for an English Parliament.