UK Consitution - Devolution

Question 1

England - English votes for English laws

Answer 1

• in 2015, EVEL was introduced to address the issue of MPs representing Scotland being able to vote on issues that only effected England
• EVEL men’s that certain parliamentary votes can only be attended by MPs from England/Wales
• applies to votes in areas of education, criminal & health law

Question 2

England - decentralisation of powers to cities

Answer 2

• these powers include granting some city mayors with more finacial powers & control over their own city budget
• also include wing able to keep revenue from business rates, which are local taxes on commercial businesses sp that they can be invested in city projects

Question 3

Scotland - Scotland act 1998

Answer 3

• was passed following a referendum which voted in favour of devolution in Scotland
• meant Scottish parliament has powers over own education, policing, civil & crim law, health law & public transport

Question 4

Scotland - Scottish parliment

Answer 4

• held first election in 1999
• used AMS for voting members to the parliament
• was formed by the largest party in parliament or a coalition of parties

Question 5

Scotland - Scotland act 2016

Answer 5

• Scotland’s 2nd stage of devolution and was a result of the wish among Scottish citizens for more of a devolution of power
• was clear following the 2014 independence’s referendum

Question 6

Wales - government of wales act 1998

Answer 6

• established a welsh National Assembly
• in 1998 wales had no law making/financial powers but the welsh gov grated wales the power to run may public services & to decide how to allocate the funding it receives from central government to those services

Question 7

Wales - government of wales act 2014

Answer 7

• devolved more significant powers
• gave wales power over stamp duty & business taxes
• stated a referendum would be help to decide whether wales could have some control over the income tax of its citizens

Question 8

Northern Ireland - Good Friday agreement 1998

Answer 8

• restored devolved powers to Northen Ireland
• had various powers & controls in place until 1972 when its parliament was dissolved
• established an agreement using proportional representation

Question 9

Northern Ireland - powers devolved

Answer 9

• powers devolved over healthcare, transport, policing and education
• the northern assembly was grated the power to pass laws not reserved to the Westminster Parliament

Question 10

Northern Ireland - Dissolved Parliament

Answer 10

• the assembly was is solved in 2002 following tensions with the loyalist & republican communities
• re-opened in 2007

Question 11

For further devolution

Answer 11

• would improve accountability by brining the gov closer to people & communities
• present significant differences in living standards in parts of the UK
• may increase political participation
• would ensure regional problems are better addressed

Question 12

Against further devolution

Answer 12

• increase divisions in English society by promoting disunity
• could result in too many elections taking place which causes voter apathy
• not a significant demand for greater devolution in England

Question 13

Arguments for a codified constitution

Answer 13

• protection of HR, checks on goes power, more clarity for citizens
• checks & clarity; improve understanding & public awareness, written checks & balances, clear powers to control executive
• stinger protection of humans rights, as if now parliment can override the HRA

Question 14

Arguments for an uncodified constitution

Answer 14

• allows for a sting gov that can carry put actions without it being limited because of preventions
• changing old he difficult & unnecessary as it has served many years with no issues
• may mean the UKSC has to deal with disputes of the meaning of constitution (dealing with political issues despite not being elected