Devolution Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is the simple definition for devolution?
The transfer of powers from a superior body to an inferior one
List the three types of devolution:
Legislative Powers
Administrative powers
Financial powers
What are legislative powers?
Can make laws in their territories
What are administrative powers?
Powers given to the devolved bodies who can implement laws and services.
What are financial powers?
Devolved governments have money granted to them BUT giving tax raising powers allows the raising of extra funds.
Why was Devolution introduced? Give the 3 points simply-put:
1) End the “Democratic Deficit”
2) Avoid Break Up of the UK
3) Peace in Northern Ireland
Why Devolution? (End the Democratic Deficit):
4 c___________ Conservative victories - when Wales and Scotland had voted overwhelmingly for L_____.
A general feeling in Wales and Scotland that they had to be… 1) insulated from future conservative governments, 2) no longer treated like “Colonies”
consecutive
Labour
Why Devolution? Avoid the break up of the UK:
Pressure for de-centralisation had reached a stage where it could not be i________ without actually leading to the break up of the UK.
- The SNP’s % of the vote was r_____.
- An attempt to head off any EVENTUAL threat of independence with ___________
ignored
rising
devolution
Why Devolution? Peace in Northern Ireland:
Power sharing via a coalition was a p_______ of the Good Friday Peace Agreement.
priority
Devolution is a ________, not an ______.
process
event
Law Making Powers in Scotland?
Large range of primary and secondary law making powers
Tax raising powers in Scotland?
Full tax raising powers
Law Making Powers in Wales?
Smaller range of primary and secondary law making powers
Tax raising powers in Wales?
Can raise income tax… the ability to raise or lower income tax by up to 10p in the pound.
Law making powers in Northern Ireland?
Limited law making powers
Tax raising powers in Northern Ireland?
Limited tax raising powers but can adjust Corporation tax
In BOTH Scotland and Wales… Devolution has gradually e________ (at different rates).
Powers from both bodies have _____ since 1998.
expanded
grown
Why was Scotland a “special case” and different from Wales and Northern Ireland even in 1997?
Already had a political identity.
Why was the Scottish Parliament more powerful than the Welsh Assembly in 1998?
1997 -> Scotland referendum held to gauge support for devolution. Result was overwhelmingly in favour. The Scotland Act, granting this, was passed in 1998. Implemented in 1999, the first Scottish Parliament was elected.
Also, A new electoral system was introduced for the Scottish Parliament.
Why was the Scotland Act 2016 and “DEVO-MAX” such a significant step?
Semi-entrenched it and there was a further transition of power.
Why were less powers given to Wales than Scotland in 1998?
The Welsh devolution referendum (1997) was close-run.
The majority was only 50.5-49.5 on a low turnout of around 50%, so only a quarter of the Welsh electorate actually voted in favour of devolution.
What is meant by saying that powers given to Wales in 1998 were only administrative?
The powers given were only to allow them to implement laws and services.
What was the motivation of giving increased powers given to Wales in 2014?
Nationalist sentiment didn’t grow in Wales after the first stage of devolution. But, demands for further devolution began to grow after 2010.
Lib Dems also helped the process as they were part of the 2010 coalition govt. and supported further decentralisation of power.
There was also fear that if new powers were devolved to Scotland, the Welsh and Scottish govt. power difference would be too wide.
Wales Act 1998? Give 2 areas
Health, education, local authority services, public transport, agriculture
