Has Devolution Been A Success Flashcards
1A: decisions made closer to the people
Local services are better dealt with by those with interest and knowledge on the area. Policies diverge from region to region, and there was a growing resentment that UK parliament, predominantly English decided Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish law.
In COVID pandemic, Scotland and wales used more local lockdown measures than England until the tier system of varying degrees of risks in October 2020 (didn’t apply to SCOWAL)
1B: breakup of UK
Devolution has only seemed to flame calls for an independent Scotland. After Brexit, in the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections, SNP said they should have indyref 2 as 62% of Scotland wanted to remain in EU. In 2021, they made an attempt to hold their own referendum but it was prevented by SC ruling in 2022. It only grew Scottish nationalism
2A: popularity of devolution
The fact that conservative parties succeededing Blair have not attempted to reverse devolution shows the amount of public support they have, and how dangerous it would be to repeal the new rights given to their self-determinism and nationalism.
Even though Welsh only voted 50% for in 1998, in 2011 they voted 63% yes to extending their powers, gaining primary legislative power and becoming a Welsh Parliament.
2B: assymerteical devolution
Some may say that due to the progressive granting of powers to different areas of UK, it had become unfair.
For example, only Scotland has full control over income tax, and NI has no control. Scotland are also only devolved parliament to have control over VAT (50%)
Further, NI have EU law relating to single market for goods which creates a Democratic deficit as they do not have a rep in EP.
Finally, despite English not being able to vote on devolved governments laws, the devolved governments MPs can vote on English laws. This is West Lothian Auestion. A convention called EVEL was formed but it has since broken down. Also dem deficit
3A: Northern Ireland peace
Mostly resolved troubles and prevented sectarian violence.
Makes it so unionists and republicans work together in govt. so both are represented and both must compromise
Must act for NI, not just for their sector
As established by Good Friday Agreement 1998
3B: Northern Ireland issues
Issues still face Northern Ireland between unionists and republicans, creating stalemate in legislation and sometimes breakdown of bills.
For 2 years, NI was governed by civil servants rather than ministers between 2017-2019, so they could not make policy decisions
