Devolution 6 markers Flashcards
Explain the devolution settlement in the UK (6)
Devolution refers to the transfer of policy making powers from the central government to smaller, devolved institutions. In the UK= Welsh Parliament, Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly.
Growing demands for devolution- rising Welsh patriotism in the 1970s- Tony Blair- GoWa 1998, Scotland Act 1998= created devolution
Asymmetric devolution (then and now)- Wales only had primary legislation from GoWa 2006, Scotland had it from 1998.
Since then there’s been growing demands to increase Welsh devolution
Silk Commission (1)= 33 recommendations to raise 1/4 of their budget
Wales Act 2014- 10% varying powers over income tax
Silk (2)- 61 recommendations- 80 MSs, reserved powers model
Enshrined in St David’s Day Agreement
Wales Act 2017- repealed provisions of GoWa 2006, implemented maj. of St David’s Day Agreement
Currently:
Wales has management of OFCOM, consumer advocacy, speed limits and road signs, reserved powers model
Explain the structure and powers of the Welsh Parliament (6)
Welsh Parliament is the legislative body of Wales. Made up of 60 MSs (40-FPTP, 20-prop.)
Structure:
- MSs (elected), represent constituents- plenary, debates, FMQs, meetings with constituents
- Presiding Officer- Head of Welsh Parliament- oversees procedures, makes sure everything’s running smoothly
- First Minister for Wales- appointed by Presiding Officer- head of Welsh govt- rep. Wales and its interests
- Plenary- Tuesday, 1 hour, meeting of whole Senedd in Siambr
- Committees- 6 committees…, prepare reports, collate evidence
Powers:
- Legislation: make legislation
- Hold Welsh Government to account- plenary, FMQs, debates etc. – mainly policy + spending
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Explain the three roles of the Welsh Parliament (6)
Senedd is legislative body in Wales, responsible for creating legislation.
Made up of 60 MS- AMS system
Has 3 roles: legislation, scrutiny and representation
A bill is a draft proposed law and, once given royal assent, becomes an ‘Act of the Senedd Cymru’. The Senedd can legislate on any matter not reserved to UK parl. Legislative process in Wales similar to UK
Scrutiny refers to scrutinising and holding Welsh govt to account, mainly on spending and policy decisions. Do this through committees- collate expert evidence into reports. Six committees (e.g. Welsh Language and Communications Committee, Sport and Social Policy Committee, Finance Committee). Also plenary- meeting of the whole Senedd in the Siambr where MS debate key issues. Also First Minister’s Questions- can ask on any topic- all MS have 1 question, Tuesday afternoon, 1 hour.
Representation- more effective than UK parl.- 20 elected using proportional system. Even gender split- 30 male and 30 female MSs, but acknowledged that more can be done to improve representation for ethnic minorities and those with disabilities. They also represent their constituents through regular meetings in person, over phone or online
Explain the role of the First Minister of Wales (6)
First Minister of Wales is the head of the Welsh Govt (the executive branch) and has roles in leadership, legislation and representation.
Used to be called ‘First Secretary’
1st minister leads cabinet- has a role in appointing govt. ministers.
Answer First Minister’s Questions
Make policy-making decisions
Represent Wales in negotiations and international relations- 2021, Mark Drakeford went to US to promote Welsh culture and buisness.
Also given greater scrutiny- 2021, Mark Drakeford criticised for quality of healthcare
Also decides how to present policies to the public- access to the media.
Represents the interest of Wales and its people, including in negotiations with UK parl.
Have power to call civil emergencies
Slight influence over budget and appointing judges.
Examples: Mark Drakeford leading Welsh govt. response to COVID in 2020 and in 2021 appointing a new cabinet.
There have been 4 1st ministers: Alun Michael, Rhodri Morgan, Carwyn Jones and Mark Drakeford.
Explain the Welsh cabinet (6)
The cabinet gives direction to the work of the whole Welsh government.
It discusses matters which engage ministers collectively, have strategic implications, or impact financially on their programme of work.
They have a policy of openness and transparency, as they publish agendas, papers and minutes unless the information is exempt from disclosure.
They have a number of roles:
- Set policy direction
- Develop and implement policies: this includes setting priorities, allocating resources and overseeing the delivery of the programme
- Make decisions
- Manage budget: making sure resources are allocated efficiently (2022, Welsh govt declared additional £6.8 billion for mental health services)
- Represent Wales: at National and international level
- Oversee work of government agencies: like Welsh Language Commissioner
Current cabinet:
Mark Drakeford, Jane Hutt, Julie James, Jeremy Miles etc.
Explain Collective / Individual Ministerial Responsibility in Wales (6)
COLLECTIVE
Collective ministerial responsibility is a principle of a parliamentary government where cabinet ministers are collectively responsible for the decision and actions of the government.
Ministers must support decisions of cabinet- fundamental principle.
If a Cabinet member can’t support a decision, they must resign.
2018, Welsh Government announced wouldn’t support building of a new nuclear power station, some wanted it to be built
2021, Welsh Government announced changes to national assessments for schools, despite some minister’s concerns over the impact on students and teachers
2020, ban on single use plastic, despite some concerns over practicality of this.
However, collective ministerial responsibility doesn’t absolve ministers of personal responsibility for their actions.
INDIVIDUAL
Individual ministerial responsibility is a constitutional convention which holds ministers accountable to Parliament for the actions of their department, agencies and other bodies over which they have direct control or influence.
Carl Sergeant: 2017, Sergeant was accused of sexual misconduct by numerous women. He denied the allegations but was suspended while the investigation was being carried out. However, before it concluded, he was found dead in his home. The First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones, was criticised over the way he handled the investigation, causing him to resign in 2018.
Healthcare failings: 2013, Health Minister Mark Drakeford was criticised for poor quality of healthcare in Wales, which had been followed by a report by the Public Accounts Committee. Replaced as Health Minister
Education Standards: 2019, Kirsty Williams held responsible for poor performance of Welsh students in international tests.
Housing Crisis: 2020, Julie James faced criticism over housing crisis and the lack of affordable homes.
Explain the Welsh Government Civil Service (6)
The Civil Service is the non-political administration that supports Welsh government ministers.
Strengths:
- Political neutrality
- Efficient administration
- Good governance
- Sound management of public funds
Structure:
Permanent Secretary, Shan Morgan, head of Welsh Government Civil Service. The permanent secretary is helped by 2 deputy permanent secretaries.
Divided into 4 groups:
1. Office of the First Minister and Cabinet Office
2. Health and Social Services Group
3. Economy, Skills and Natural Resources Group
4. Education and Public Services Group
Management Groups:
Several management groups which focus on various business matters. The board:
- Takes strategic decisions about how the organisation is developed to support the cabinet
- Board members are appointed by Permanent Secretary
- List of Board membership is available on Welsh government website
Civil servants are expected to:
- Uphold standards set out in Civil Service Code
- Comply with Welsh Government Code of Conduct
They have 4 values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality
Explain what is meant by Members of the Senedd (MSs) (6)
Elected representatives sit in Welsh Parl.
60 MS (40-FPTP, 20-proportional)
Have been calls to increase to 80
Roles: represent interest of constituents- regular meetings over phone/in person/online, bring forward their concerns in plenary. Scrutinise Welsh govt- First Minister’s Questions, debate legislation (2nd+3rd reading). Agree new laws and Welsh taxes.
MSs responsible for scrutinising + approving Welsh govt budget, being able to propose amendments to it
Sit in committees + work to gather evidence, take evidence from witnesses and make recommendations to Welsh govt. 6 committees (e.g…)
Overall, role is broad and varied, having a large influence over shaping the future of Wales and the people who live there
Give two arguments for and against the UK becoming a federal state (6)
A federal state is when different states or provinces of a country have important powers to make their own laws and decisions
YES
Would provide a coherent constitutional settlement for the UK- clearer relationship between UK government and other governments
Would resolve some of the anomalies that have arisen under devolution. For example, West Lothian Question (why can Scottish MPs vote for English laws but English MPs can’t vote for Scottish laws)
NO
Explain the impact of devolution in the UK (6)
