Devolution Flashcards
(42 cards)
what is devolution?
Devolution is delegating power from the UK Parliament to specific regions of the country (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
It does not involve delegating sovereignty as power can be returned back to Parliament through a constitutional statute
what are the different types of devolution?
There are three main types of devolution…
1) Legislative devolution (Delegating power to make laws)
2) Administrative devolution (delegating power to carry out laws)
3) Financial devolution (delegating power to control taxes)
when were devolved bodies created for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Devolved bodies were created for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland following referendums in 1997-98
Involved the transfer of certain powers over policy areas but Westminster still retains control over reserved powers which include defence and foreign policy
why were devolved bodies created in the UK?
1997 referendum in Scotland and Wales
To suppress nationalism in Scotland and Wales who were both seeking independence — Devolution was therefore a pragmatic measure to keep the UK united
Before 1997, Labour doubted that they would get a majority so discussed policy with the Liberal Democrats, who influenced their manifesto to include devolution — Labour included devolution in their manifesto to keep the Liberal Democrats on their side in the case of a coalition
To bring together the conflicting unionist and nationalist factions in Northern Ireland
Scottish Referendum (1997): what was the referendum held on?
Pre-legislative referendum — to indicate whether there was enough support for a devolved Scottish Parliament and whether Parliament should have control over taxes (a two question referendum)
Scottish Referendum (1997): what were the results?
60% turnout
74% in favour of a Scottish parliament
63% in favour of tax varying powers for the Scottish parliament
Scottish Referendum (1997): what were the different campaign sides?
The yes campaign was ‘Scotland FORward’ Which was supported by the Scottish Labour Party, SNP, Lib Dems and Scottish Green party
The no campaign was ‘Think Twice’ Which was supported by the Conservatives
Scottish Referendum (1997): what did the Scotland Act set out?
The Scotland act 1998 created the Scottish parliament
It also set out how MSPs should be elected, laid out the legislative process and devolved all powers except those that are ‘reserved’ For Westminster
Also said that the UK Parliament continued to have power to legislate on Scotland, thus not undermining Parliamentary sovereignty
Nationalism continued to grow in Scotland and eventually accumulated in the 2014 independence referendum
Welsh Referendum 1997: when and why was the referendum held?
held one week after the Scottish referendum — some argue this was a knock-on effect and the result of Wales wanting to keep up with Scotland
Although demand for devolution in Wales was always weaker and the Welsh Assembly did not gain comparable powers to those of the Scottish parliament
Welsh Referendum 1997: what were the results?
50% turnout
50.3% voted yes to devolution (Very small majority, only 6721 votes difference)
Welsh Referendum 1997: what were the different sides of the campaign?
The yes campaign was called ‘Yes for Wales’ and was supported by the Lib Dems and Labour and Plaid Cymru As well as grassroots group support such as ‘Pensioners Say Yes’
The no campaign was called ‘Just Say No’ and was headed by the Conservatives
Welsh Referendum 1997: what were the stages that power was granted to the Welsh Assembly?
The Government of Wales Act 1998 established the Welsh Assembly
Since the referendum, The assembly has been able to pass laws in all 20 devolved areas
The Government of Wales 2014 act gave the Welsh assembly control over taxes such as business tax
In 2015 the assembly was given control of some income tax
This was a piecemeal approach to devolution, growing powers gradually
Northern Ireland devolution
the devolution Settlement was part of a wider attempt to resolve conflict between loyalists (largely Protestant) and Republican (largely catholic) communities
The Good Friday agreement also known as the Belfast agreement restored Northern Ireland’s devolved powers that had been removed in 1972
what are reserved powers?
Reserved powers are powers that are not devolved, only Westminster has these powers
Reserved powers are not granted to devolved bodies because these powers indicate a fully fledged Independent state and the purpose of devolution is to keep all four regions in the UK
Reserved powers include... • Foreign policy • Defence and national security • Immigration and citizenship • Relations with Europe • Tax policies (although the Scottish parliament gained power over taxes and the ability to set tax rates were devolved to Scotland) • The Constitution • Welfare benefits • Trade, currency and interest rates
what is asymmetrical devolution?
Asymmetrical devolution means that not every region in the UK has been given the same powers
for example, Scotland can make legislation but Wales can only amend in certain areas
Scotland can also vary the basic rate of income tax but Wales is dependent on funding from central government
these varying powers of different regions in the UK can cause conflict — Nationalism has not declined, if anything it has increased because not every region has similar powers
what is the West Lothian question?
The West Lothian question is an issue with devolution
It essentially asks whether powers should be devolved to England — This has arguably been somewhat/partly tackled via EVEL (English votes for English laws)
Scottish MPs at Westminster could vote on purely English issues but English MPs have no influence in the Scottish parliament
Furthermore the Barnett formula determines funds for public spending for each region but means that Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland receive more spending per head than England, so should England have its own devolved body?
The 1997 to 2010 Labour government did not answer this question, it abandoned attempts to set up regional assemblies in England after public opinion decisively rejected it in 2004
2014 Scottish independence referendum
The 2014 Scottish independence referendum had an 84% turnout
45% voted yes and 55% voted no
In the Scotland act 2016 the Scottish parliament was given control over its own electoral system
has devolution been positive for the UK?
YES
Strengthens democracy and gives more opportunities for people to engage in democracy
There has been peace in Northern Ireland after 30 years of violence and no major disputes
Workload of Westminster has been reduced and dispersed
Proportional voting systems in Northern Ireland Scotland and Wales give a voice to smaller parties
Revival of Welsh culture and language
Policy divergence, which refers to the ability to adjust to local concerns
has devolution been positive for the UK?
NO
use of referendums (criticisms of referendums)
Not enough ’Britishness’, not enough focus on the benefits for Britain, growing divides between the regions in regards to national identity — however most still feel British to some degree
England has no distinct representation of its own (West Lothian question has only been partially solved)
Nationalist parties such as Plaid Cymru and the SNP Have grown in significance since the respective referendums and both regions have seen a growth of nationalism and desire for independence
Pressure groups increasingly work with devolved assemblies
Impact of asymmetrical devolution — Piecemeal (power is given over time, not well thought out), rising nationalism, policy divergence (undermines the idea of common rights and a common welfare system), unequal treatment
Blair’s reforms: POSITIVES
Took steps to strengthen democracy e.g. devolution engages more people in democracy
Judiciary and government are now separate, giving a greater protection of human rights
Devolution has helped to retain fragile peace in Northern Ireland after 30 years of violence
Freedom of information act has allowed for more scrutiny of the government as well as other public bodies
Blair’s reforms: NEGATIVES
Appetite for greater independence was created due to devolution
Lack of enthusiasm for constitutional reforms and certain commitments have been abandoned — e.g. failure to hold promised referendum on electoral system, not moving forward with stage two of House of Lords reform
Reforms were piecemeal — Individual problems were tackled with individual solutions, no clear or well thought out plan, approach or goal
Reforms did not address the problems — Such as the problem of elective dictatorship which is arguably the biggest weakness in the UK constitution, there was also no attempt to seriously address the issue of the voting system that may enable elective dictatorships
Possibly carried out for labours own gain (e.g. not hold a referendum on the voting system as it already favours labour)
House of Lords remains undemocratic and unelected, it has only been partially reformed
devolved bodies in the UK: ENGLAND
what is the current system in England?
More extensive change has taken place in Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland
There is a two tier system; county and borough councils + lower level district councils
In the 1990s, some areas moved to a single tier of local government known as ‘unitary authorities’
London has a single authority known as the Greater London Council, so does the West Midlands and Greater Manchester — These bodies gained a reputation for high spending and were abolished by Thatcher in 1986
devolved bodies in the UK: ENGLAND
what did the Blair government create in 2000?
The Blair government created 2 new institutions in 2000; an elected mayor with executive powers supported by the Greater London assembly
They share oversight on policy areas such as policing, transport and economic development
Ken Livingstone was the first Mayor of London and introduced a congestion charge for drivers entering central London in response to increased traffic and air pollution
In 2015, 16 other areas had adopted the same elected mayor model as London
devolved bodies in the UK: ENGLAND
what were regional development agencies?
unelected Regional Development Agencies were set up by Blair to promote economic development on behalf of central government
The coalition abolished the RDAs and created ‘metro mayors’ in city regions such as Liverpool and Sheffield — Powers of Metro Mayers include developing economic growth strategy and making policy on housing, skills and transport
The creation of Metro Mayers was a plan to drive regional growth via improve transport links and investment in science and innovation
