The impact of devolution on UK politics Flashcards
Describe a federal state
- Sovereignty is divided between two tiers of government
- Power is shared between national and regional government
- Regional government is constitutionally protected and therefore cannot be removed or substantially reformed without its consent
Describe a quasi-federal state
- Some features of a unitary state and some features of a federal state
- The central government devolves some of its powers to sub-national government but supreme legal authority is still located centrally
- In practise domestic policy is no longer decided upon centrally in many areas and it would be politically difficult to abolish the sub-national tier of government
Why is Westminster still sovereign in legal terms?
It can overrule or abolish devolved bodies
Why Westminster no longer sovereign in practise as a result of devolution?
- It cannot legislate on domestic matters in devolved areas
- Devolved bodies are now a permanent fixture in the UK constitution and can not be abolished without the approval of a referendum
Why can Westminster parliament be described as quasi-federal?
Because it makes domestic law for England but still acts as a federal parliament when deciding upon reserved matters for Scotland, Wales and NI
What is a joint ministerial committee?
UK minsters and their counterparts from devolved institutions meet to consider non-devolved matters that may have a knock-on effect on devolved matters and resolved disputes. However, meeting are infrequently and Westminster is still very much the key player
How are disputes over competences resolved?
By the supreme court deciding whether or not devolved bodies have acted within their powers
Give the arguements in favour of the UK becoming a federal state
- Establish a clear constitutionally outlined relationship between the constituent parts of the UK
- Resolve anamalies like the West Lothian Question
- The status of Westminster parliament would be clarified as it would act as a completely federal parliament
- The House of Lords could be reformed or abolished
Give the arguements against the UK becoming a federal state
- Federalism works best in states where there is not a dominant nation or region
- An English parliament would rival a Westminster parliament
- Measures to reduce English dominance would be problematic and unpopular
- Disputes over funding for federal states
- Unpopular in the UK; with devolution being the preferred means of constitutional reform in Scotland, Wales and NI
What recent change to devolution has enhanced policy divergence?
New powers on tax and spend
Where has policy divergence been most pronounced?
Health and education
Give an example of policy divergence in health
The NHS internal market was abolished in Scotland and Wales but only limited in NI
Give an example of policy divergence in education
University tuition fees were abolished in Scotland but only reduced in Wales and NI
What is the upside of policy divergence?
Devolved institutions can respond to the unique concerns of their electorate
What is the downside of policy divergence?
It undermines the principle of equal rights for UK citizens
How are the devolved institutions funded?
By block grants from the UK treasury, the size of which is determined using the Barnett formula
What is the issue with the Barnett formula?
Devolved areas receive around 25% extra funding per person than England
What do critics of devolution say about block grants?
It amounts to an English subsidy of the devolved areas and does not take account of relative needs
Define Britishness
An umbrella term that aims to promote unity between UK citizens while maintaining their distinctive national identities
What has British identity been built around?
Symbols of the UK state, like parliament, the NHS and the monarchy
How did Brexit create divisions within devolution?
Scotland and NI voted to remain, England and Wales voted to leave
Why is NI treated differently to the rest of the UK because of Brexit?
The UK and EU added a NI protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement to prevent a hard border between NI and the Republic of Ireland
How does the NI protocol work?
NI remains part of the EU customs union and single market for goods, but checks are required on goods coming from the rest of the UK
What did Holyrood request in the face of Brexit?
Special status for Scotland, which was rejected by Westminster
