Devolution

Question 1

Devolution

Answer 1

Centralised power is delegated to other places around the nation

Question 2

reserved powers eg

Answer 2

those that remain with westminster
- healthcare, defence, immigration

Question 3

devolved powers eg

Answer 3

those that have been delegated to other bodies
- law and order, environment, education, housing

Question 4

quasi federal

Answer 4

several states from 1 country have internal, independent and different views

Question 5

west lothian question

Answer 5

why do scottish welsh and northern irish MPs have the same right to vote at Westminster as an English MP on legislation regarding England (after devolution)

Question 6

EVEL + why was it created + caused

Answer 6

• as a response to address WLQ
  • English Votes for English Laws: English MPs had a veto over laws only affecting England
  • introduced in 2015 by David Cameron following scottish independence referendum
  • criticisms and debates divided westminster, created tensions

Question 7

Welsh parliament name + members + impact

Answer 7

Senedd, 60
- effective and influential: 2015: opt-out system for organ donation
2020: adopted in westminster

Question 8

Scottish Parliament place + members + impacts

Answer 8

Holyrood, 129
- most powerful devolved body by right, passed over 300 legislations e.g Children (Care and Justice) Act 2021 - changed definition of children in court hearings 16 to 18

Question 9

Northern Irish assembly place + members and impacts

Answer 9

Stormont building, 90
- weak body: has had multiple suspensions eg 2000 - suspended after IRA’s failure to disarm
- no added powers

Question 10

Asymmetrical devolution

Answer 10

all devolved bodies are given different levels of power

Question 11

Senedd and elections (Wales) Act 2020

Answer 11

• passed by Senedd
• formally changed name to Senedd Cymru and lowered voting age to 16

Question 12

Welsh devolution referendum + date

Answer 12

1997: Y- 50.3% N-49.7% To- 50.2%
• only 1/2 people voted , people aren’t extremely passionate about having devolved body
• almost symmetrical result, no great desire

Question 13

Should England have its own Parliament

Answer 13

Yes:
- devolution has been successful elsewhere (Scotland)
- more power decentralised away from london
- enable english culture and identity to flourish (EVEL)

No:
- lack of public enthusiasm ( 2021 poor turnouts in Wales - 46.6%)
- extra costs: pay representatives and civil service
- england lacks national identity, culture is more regional (Yorkshire Party founded 2014 - 2004 North East England Referendum 22% Yes)

Question 14

unitary councils

Answer 14

37, single tier bodies responsible for full range of local services (social care and education
- portsmouth

Question 15

metropolitan boroughs

Answer 15

36, single tier bodies, broadly similar to UC
- bolton

Question 16

county councils

Answer 16

25, 2 tier local authority structure responsible for localised services (e.g leisure)
- New Forest district council

Question 17

London boroughs

Answer 17

32, comprised boroughs and greater london assembly
- Hillingdon

Question 18

combined authority

Answer 18

small group of 2 or more councils to collaborate across council boundaries
- greater manchester

Question 19

London mayors roles

Answer 19

(directly elected)
- in charge of TFL
- £17bil budget
- Planning decisions
- responsible for PPCs

Question 20

Scottish referendum + date

Answer 20

1997, Y- 74% N- 25%
• strong desire amongst scots

Question 21

Northern Ireland referendum date and consequence

Answer 21

1998, Y- 71% N-29%
• strong desire amongst NI people

Good Friday Agreement between republicans and unionists - ended troubles

Question 22

Scot Act 1998
Scot Act 2012
Scot Act 2016

Answer 22

1998: Established parliament - oil and income tax
2012:£5b towards Revenue Scotland (tax authority)
2016: more transfer of power (abortion laws, speed limits and equal opportunities)

Question 23

Wales Act 1998
Wales Act 2014
Wales Act 2017

Answer 23

1998: established parliament
2014: tax raising powers
2017: major transfer

Question 24

Pros and cons of devolution

Answer 24

Pros:
- people feel more represented as policies and services directly concern them
- more devolved bodies = more elections = more occasions people can utilise their vote
• some local councils - metropolitan borough councils (e.g birmingham and manchester) hold elections every year for 3 years alongside general and mayoral elections = increase democracy

cons:
-people apathetic towards devolution
• welsh devolution referendum results

-low turnouts in local and mayoral
• 2024 london mayor turnout = 40.5%, down 1.5% from 2021

-growth in nationalism
• SNP been pushing for full independence since devolution - resulted in independence referendum 2014

• proposal of WLQ caused tensions and divisions in westminster
• people more concerned with general elections than local
  • 2021 Senedd: 46.6% turnout (highest ever)
  • 2019 GE: 67.3% turnout