Devolution

Question 1

What is devolution?

Answer 1

The statutory delegation of powers from the UK central government to subnational governments (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), allowing them to make decisions on certain matters.

Question 2

What is the difference between devolution and federalism?

Answer 2

Devolution powers can be revoked by the central government; federalism constitutionally divides sovereignty between central and regional governments.

Question 3

What are the three types of devolution?

Answer 3

Legislative devolution, administrative devolution, and financial devolution.

Question 4

What are the main aims of devolution in the UK?

Answer 4

Accommodate national identities, improve governance by local decision-making, reduce independence demands, increase political stability.

Question 5

When did devolution first occur in the UK?

Answer 5

1998, after the 1997 referendums.

Question 6

Which Prime Minister introduced the modern devolution settlements?

Answer 6

Tony Blair.

Question 7

What legislation established devolution in Scotland and Wales?

Answer 7

Scotland Act 1998 and Government of Wales Act 1998.

Question 8

What is the difference between primary and secondary legislative powers?

Answer 8

Primary powers allow making new laws; secondary powers allow making detailed regulations under those laws.

Question 9

What is the Scottish Parliament?

Answer 9

A devolved legislature with law-making powers on many domestic issues.

Question 10

When was the Scottish Parliament established?

Answer 10

1999.

Question 11

What electoral system is used in Scottish Parliament elections?

Answer 11

Mixed Member Proportional (Additional Member System).

Question 12

What powers does the Scottish Parliament have?

Answer 12

Powers over health, education, justice, environment, transport, and some taxation.

Question 13

What are the reserved powers held by Westminster in Scotland?

Answer 13

Defense, foreign affairs, immigration, constitutional matters, monetary policy.

Question 14

What is the Barnett Formula?

Answer 14

A formula to allocate public spending to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland relative to England.

Question 15

What tax powers does the Scottish Parliament have?

Answer 15

Control over income tax rates/bands, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, and other devolved taxes.

Question 16

How did the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum affect devolution?

Answer 16

Though independence was rejected, it led to more powers for Scotland via the 2016 Scotland Act.

Question 17

What were the consequences of the 2016 Scotland Act?

Answer 17

Expanded tax and welfare powers were devolved to Scotland.

Question 18

When was the Welsh Assembly established?

Answer 18

1999.

Question 19

What is the difference between the Senedd and the Welsh Assembly?

Answer 19

The Senedd (Welsh Parliament) replaced the Welsh Assembly in 2020, reflecting increased legislative powers.

Question 20

What electoral system is used for Welsh Senedd elections?

Answer 20

Additional Member System (mixed proportional).

Question 21

How has devolution evolved in Wales since 1999?

Answer 21

Powers have expanded from administrative to primary law-making powers.

Question 22

What powers does the Welsh Senedd currently have?

Answer 22

Law-making in areas like health, education, transport, and some taxation powers.

Question 23

What was the result of the 2011 Welsh devolution referendum?

Answer 23

Welsh voters approved giving the Senedd primary legislative powers.

Question 24

What are examples of devolved powers in Wales?

Answer 24

Health, education, transport, environment, agriculture.

Question 25

What is the Northern Ireland Assembly?

Answer 25

The devolved legislature governing Northern Ireland with power-sharing arrangements.

Question 26

What is the Good Friday Agreement?

Answer 26

1998 peace agreement establishing devolved government and power-sharing in Northern Ireland.

Question 27

When was the Northern Ireland Assembly first established?

Answer 27

1998.

Question 28

What electoral system is used in Northern Ireland Assembly elections?

Answer 28

Single Transferable Vote (STV).

Question 29

What is the principle of power-sharing in Northern Ireland?

Answer 29

Executive power is shared between unionist and nationalist parties to ensure cross-community cooperation.

Question 30

Which parties are typically involved in Northern Ireland power-sharing?

Answer 30

Mainly the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin.

Question 31

How has devolution in Northern Ireland been affected by political deadlock?

Answer 31

Periodic suspension of the Assembly due to disagreements between parties.

Question 32

What powers does the Northern Ireland Assembly have?

Answer 32

Powers over health, education, justice, transport, agriculture, and more.

Question 33

What is the West Lothian Question?

Answer 33

Why MPs from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can vote on England-only matters in Westminster, but English MPs cannot vote on devolved matters.

Question 34

What is the purpose of English Votes for English Laws (EVEL)?

Answer 34

To give English MPs exclusive voting rights on England-only legislation.

Question 35

What is the argument for an English Parliament?

Answer 35

To provide England with its own devolved legislature, avoiding the West Lothian Question.

Question 36

What are city region mayors and how do they fit into English devolution?

Answer 36

Elected mayors overseeing combined authorities with devolved powers over transport, housing, and economic development.

Question 37

What powers do metro mayors like Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan have?

Answer 37

Control over transport budgets, strategic planning, housing initiatives, and skills funding.

Question 38

What are combined authorities in England?

Answer 38

Groups of local councils collaborating to take on devolved powers.

Question 39

How does devolution affect parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 39

It complicates sovereignty as devolved bodies have legislative power, though Westminster retains ultimate sovereignty.

Question 40

What is the Sewel Convention?

Answer 40

Westminster will not legislate on devolved matters without consent from the devolved legislature.

Question 41

Is devolution legally entrenched in the UK?

Answer 41

No, it can be changed or revoked by Westminster legislation.

Question 42

How does asymmetric devolution work?

Answer 42

Different nations have different powers; e.g., Scotland has more powers than Wales.

Question 43

What is quasi-federalism?

Answer 43

A system where devolved powers resemble federalism but sovereignty remains with the central parliament.

Question 44

What challenges does devolution present to the unity of the UK?

Answer 44

Increased demands for independence and complexity in governance.

Question 45

What is the difference between unitary and devolved states?

Answer 45

Unitary states have centralized sovereignty; devolved states delegate powers but maintain central sovereignty.

Question 46

What are the arguments in favour of devolution?

Answer 46

Brings government closer to people, respects national identities, improves policy responsiveness.

Question 47

What are the arguments against devolution?

Answer 47

Risks weakening UK unity, creates complexity, can cause inequality between nations.

Question 48

Has devolution led to greater democratic participation?

Answer 48

Yes, by enabling local elections and greater engagement in devolved matters.

Question 49

How has devolution impacted policy divergence?

Answer 49

Led to different policies on health, education, and transport across UK nations.

Question 50

What impact has Brexit had on UK devolution?

Answer 50

Created tension over powers repatriated from the EU and highlighted constitutional strains.

Question 51

What is the Internal Market Act 2020 and how does it affect devolution?

Answer 51

It enforces free trade across UK nations, limiting devolved governments' powers to restrict goods/services.

Question 52

Has devolution increased calls for independence?

Answer 52

Yes, especially in Scotland and Wales.

Question 53

How has COVID-19 highlighted the powers of devolved administrations?

Answer 53

Devolved governments implemented differing health policies and restrictions.

Question 54

What are examples of different COVID policies between devolved nations?

Answer 54

Scotland had longer lockdowns; Wales imposed different school closure rules.

Question 55

What was the result of the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum?

Answer 55

Majority voted yes to establish the Scottish Parliament.

Question 56

What was the result of the 1997 Welsh devolution referendum?

Answer 56

Narrow majority voted yes to establish the Welsh Assembly.

Question 57

What was the turnout and result of the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum?

Answer 57

Turnout ~85%; 55% voted No to independence.

Question 58

What role did the SNP play in devolution and independence movements?

Answer 58

SNP campaigned strongly for independence and dominates Scottish politics.

Question 59

What happened in the 2016 EU Referendum in relation to Scotland?

Answer 59

Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, increasing independence debates.

Question 60

What was the outcome of the 2021 Scottish Parliament election?

Answer 60

SNP won a third consecutive term but fell short of an overall majority.