Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not good for England and Northern Ireland.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Wales
• Scotland
• England
• Northern Ireland

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

Devolution has successfully transferred power away from Westminster to different regions, in Scotland, England and Wales, due to the complex history of Northern Ireland devolution has not been as good

Question 3

Bad - Wales - Point

UK Politics

Answer 3

Wales is the only devolved Parliament that does not have national party in control. The majority party in the Welsh Parliament is Labour, this means they are no separate from Westminster

Question 4

Bad - Wales - Example

UK Politics

Answer 4

In the 2021 Welsh Parliament elections, Labour won 30 out of 60 seats and 38% of the popular vote. The second largest party was the Conservatives who gained 16 seats and 25.6% of the popular vote

UK Politics

Question 5

Good - Wales - Point

Answer 5

Despite Westminster parties being in control in the Welsh Parliament, this does not mean there has not been a significant transfer of power in recent years

Question 6

Good - Wales - Example

Answer 6

The Government of Wales Act 2017 came into force in May 2020 and gave the Welsh Parliament more power. This included the ability to vary income tax 10p to the £, the creation of the Welsh revenue authority and more legislative responsibilities

Question 7

Bad - Scotland - Point

Answer 7

Recently there have been cases of the Scottish Parliament being unable to pass legislation they wish as Westminster has deemed it not within their jurisdiction - this has led to high levels of controversy

Question 8

Bad - Scotland - Example

Answer 8

The UK Government blocked the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Reform Bill which was a bill to provide greater rights for trans people in Scotland

Question 9

Good - Scotland - Point

Answer 9

However, after the independence referendum in 2014 the UK Government gave the Scottish Parliament considerably more power

Question 10

Good - Scotland - Example

Answer 10

The Scotland Act 2016 included powers such as cotrolling half the recipts of VAT collected in Scotland, control over air passenger duty and control over some business tax

Question 11

Good - Nothern Ireland - Point

UK Politics

Answer 11

Nothern Ireland can be said to have many devolved powers that have been transferred from Westminster. Unlike Wales, they also have a completely separate party system

UK Politics

Question 12

Good - Nothern Ireland - Example

UK Politics

Answer 12

In the 2022 Northern Irish Assembly elections, Sinn Fein emerged with 27 seats and the DUP in close second with 25. These are two parties which do not have many seats in Westminster

UK Politics

Question 13

Bad - Nothern Ireland - Point

Answer 13

The history of Northern reland between the Republicans and the Unionists means they have significantly fewer powers than Scotland and Wales

Question 14

Bad - Nothern Ireland - Example

Answer 14

The power of the Assembly has been curbed by the ‘Stormont Break’ clause of the new Nothern Irish Brexit agreement. This gives Stormont the ability to object to EU goods rules, however, all objections have to pass through the UK Government

Question 15

Bad - England - Point

Answer 15

The absense of an English Parliament makes it seems as though devolution is not as successful as in Scotland and Wales for example. The regions devolution efforts have had many problems

Question 16

Bad - England - Example

Answer 16

There has not been particularly strong uptake for English devolution. A 2004 referendum in Northeast England resulted in 78% of people voting against devolution. Only 11 cities have voted in favour of having elected mayors

Question 17

Good - England - Point

Answer 17

The regional devolution has been successful in transfering powers away from Westminster

Question 18

Good - England - Example

Answer 18

The Greater London Assembly has been able to improve community policiing, grow the arts scene and vastly improve public transport. Greater Manchester is designated £6 billion health and social care budget to use as they please