Alternatives for Governance of Scotland

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

• The Scotland Act of 2016 which was enacted on the recommendations of the Smith Commission, following the results of the independence referendum in 2014, whereby the majority of Scotland chose not to leave the British state.
• When discussing the issue of the most effective way to govern Scotland, this essay will consider whether the current status quo would be a more effective way of governance than independence for Scotland whilst considering areas such as Defence, the Economy, Welfare and democracy.
• This essay will nevertheless argue that the most effective way to govern Scotland would not be as an independent country, but under the current status quo as part of the British state.

Question 2

Democracy - Independence good

Answer 2

• One view about the governance of Scotland is that when considering the issue of democracy, Scotland would benefit from being independent.
• This can be seen when looking at the Brexit referendum of 2016.
• This is evident due 62% of Scots who voted in the Brexit referendum voted to remain part of the European Union (EU).
• Yet as a result of the British- wide nature of the referendum, Britain overall voted to leave the EU.

Question 3

Democracy - Independence good analysis

Answer 3

• Arguably, this shows that in terms of democracy, Scotland would be more effective as an independent country because then Scottish votes will be reflected in political decision making and referendum, additionally we would not be left in a situation where Scots are removed from the EU when they voted against such an eventuality.

Question 4

Democracy - Current Status Quo Best

Answer 4

• However, the view of the governance of Scotland is that independence may not be the most effective way to govern Scotland when considering the issue of democracy and the current devolved settlement may be more beneficial.
• This can be seen when analysing recent surveys concerning Scottish independence as the country has almost split opinions of the issue of Independence.
• Evidence of this is according to Statista in September 2023, only 53% of Scottish citizens want to go independent in comparison to the 47% who don’t want Scotland to be independent.

Question 5

Democracy - Current Status Quo Best analysis

Answer 5

• Arguably this shows that the governance of Scotland may be better under the current status quo as there is not a large difference in numbers in terms of those who want to go independent and those who don’t and therefore independence wouldn’t represent a large majority of Scotland’s views.

Question 6

Democracy - Evaluation

Answer 6

• In Evaluation, when considering the issue of democracy Scotland would benefit from going independent to a certain extent.
• Independence would grant some benefit to Scot’s as it would allow Scottish votes to be reflected fully in the outcome of the vote as the Brexit Referendum did not reflect Scotlands votes as 62% of Scots voted to remain in the European Union however Scots still had to leave the EU.
• Nevertheless, it is clear that the current status quo would be the best decision for the governance of Scotland as almost a majority of Scottish citizens do not want to go independent according to statista in 2023 as 47% of Scottish citizens do not want to go independent and therefore independence would not represent everyone in Scotland’s views.

Question 7

Economy - Indepndence good

Answer 7

• One view about the most effective way to govern Scotland is that it should be independent, particularly when considering the economy.
• This can be seen when looking at Westminster’s control of the Scottish taxation system.
• This is evident when examining the fact that Scotland has no power over corporation tax and VAT revenues, former financial secretary John Swinney stated that over a 10 year period Scotland would lose £3 billion due to the current status quo.

Question 8

Economy - Indepndence good analysis

Answer 8

• Arguably, this clearly shows that it is effective to a certain extent to govern Scotland as an independent nation as they would have complete control over all tax raising powers such as VAT and it would allow the Scottish government to generate more income instead of being economically restricted as they currently are by Westminster.

Question 9

Economy - Status Quo Best

Answer 9

• However, Scotland being independent may not be the most effective way to govern the country and she may be better off economically under the current status quo, which is a more persuasive model in which Scotland should be governed.
• This can be seen when viewing the fact that Scotland now has some power over taxation since the 2016 Scotland Act.
• This is evident as in 2018 new Scottish Tax bands were introduced including an intermediate tax band between £24,000-£43,400 which helped people to pay fairer tax amounts, As a result of this 70% of Scots have payed less tax.

Question 10

Economy - Status Quo Best Analysis

Answer 10

• Arguably, this shows that due to the decreased tax rates under the current status quo Scottish people have been granted fairer tax rates and therefore more money, thus showing that the current status quo may be the best option for the governance of Scotland.

Question 11

Economy - evaluation

Answer 11

• In evaluation, it could be argued that Scotland being an independent nation may be and effective way to govern Scotland as it would give them more economic freedom and control over the taxation system (such as VAT) to the Scottish public as they are currently controlled by Westminster,
• nevertheless the current status quo is a more effective way in which Scotland should be governed as under the Scottish status quo, seven out of ten Scots have payed less every year for tax, therefor Scottish people have more money which is important when there is a cost of living crisis.

Question 12

Defence - Independence good

Answer 12

• One view about the most effective way to govern Scotland is that it should be independent, particularly when considering Defence.
  -This can be seen as Scotland has no direct say in terms of Britain’s nuclear weapons.
• Evidence of this is that Britain’s nuclear weapons, Trident are held in Helensburgh and the SNP have sloganed ‘Bairns not Bombs’ in 2016 and argue that money would be better spent on child poverty and education.

Question 13

Defence - Independence good analysis

Answer 13

• Arguably, this shows Scotland would be better off as an independent nation in terms of defence, as they do not want to spend as much money on nuclear bombs and would rather invest in areas which are currently more in need, however, have no say in the matter as a result of it being a devolved power.

Question 14

Defence - Status Quo best

Answer 14

• However, many will argue that Scotland’s defence is better under the current status quo when it comes to defence.
• This is seen under the devolved settlement we are currently under.
• Evidence of this is NATO’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, stated that Scotland must reapply to join NATO if we were to leave the UK.

Question 15

Defence - status quo analysis

Answer 15

• Arguably this shows that Scotland is much better under the current status quo as staying interconnected would have a much greater power of defence with its partnership with NATO, and also have a much superior nuclear arsenal with the UK.

Question 16

Defence - evaluation

Answer 16

• In Evaluation, it could be argued that Scotland should be governed as an independence country as a result of the Scottish government not wanting nuclear weapons held within the country and also wanting to funds put into other areas,
• nevertheless the current status quo is a more effective way in which Scotland should be governed as they would have more control over their nuclear defence and spending, and also be able to join NATO who have a much larger Arsenal than the UK.

Question 17

Welfare - Independence best

Answer 17

• One view about the governance of Scotland is that when considering the issue of welfare, Scotland would benefit from being independent.
• This can be seen when examining Westminster’s stringent control of welfare and social security.
• This is evident as Westminster has control of over 85% of social security spending as exemplified by Jonathan Bradshaw of the University of York who predicts that Westminster and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is expected to reduce spending by a total of £3.7 billion by 2021.

Question 18

Welfare - Independence best analysis

Answer 18

• Arguably, this shows that the Scottish Government may be better governed as an independent nation due to the fact they would not have to deal with a dominant Westminster and its significant autonomy over social security spending, adversely impacting the people of Scotland.

Question 19

Welfare - status quo best

Answer 19

• However, it could be argued that independence is not the most effective way of governing Scotland and that she remains better off as part of the current status quo.
• This can be seen when examining the current devolved settlement and the current powers Scotland has in the areas of welfare and social security.
• This is evident, as shown by the fact Scotland, under the terms of the 2016 Scotland Act, currently has control over 11 benefits including Carers Allowance and Disability benefits, as well of social security spending.

Question 20

Welfare - status quo best analysis

Answer 20

• Arguably, this shows that Scotland has been given extended power and control from the Scotland Act 2016 in terms of welfare and social security (not least for carers and those with disability), indicating that the current status quo is an effective way to govern Scotland.

Question 21

Welfare - Evaluation

Answer 21

• In Evaluation, it is clear that Scotland should be governed as part of the current status quo. while independence is shown to be effective as a result of the impending cuts and reduced expenditure from Westminster will adversely impact the people of Scotland directly.
• Nevertheless, the current status quo is the better option for governance as Scotland is better off than being independent, as it grants Scotland power over some new acts and welfare benefits introduced, evidenced by the fact that Scotland has control over 11 benefits as well as proportionate control over social security spending.

Question 22

Conclusion

Answer 22

• In conclusion, the most effective way to govern Scotland would not be as an independent country, but under the current status quo as part of the British state.
• As when considering democracy Scotland would be somewhat effective as an independent country because then Scottish votes will be reflected in political decision making and referendum, additionally we would not be left in a situation where Scots are removed from the EU when they voted against such an eventuality.
• However more importantly, the governance of Scotland is better under the current status quo as there is not a large difference in numbers in terms of those who want to go independent and those who don’t and therefore independence wouldn’t represent a large majority of Scotland’s views.
• Furthermore, it may be effective to a certain extent to govern Scotland as an independent nation as they would have complete control over all tax raising powers such as VAT and it would allow the Scottish government to generate more income instead of being economically restricted as they currently are by Westminster.
• Nevertheless, due to the decreased tax rates under the current status quo Scottish people have been granted fairer tax rates and therefore more money, thus showing that the current status quo may be the best option for the governance of Scotland.
• When considering the issue of welfare, the Scottish Government may be better governed as an independent nation due to the fact they would not have to deal with a dominant Westminster and its significant autonomy over social security spending, adversely impacting the people of Scotland.
• Nevertheless, Scotland has been given extended power and control from the Scotland Act 2016 in terms of welfare and social security (not least for carers and those with disability), indicating that the current status quo is an effective way to govern Scotland.
• Therefore, the most effective way to govern Scotland is the current status quo as part of the British State.