Devolution Flashcards
Build up to devolution
Demands started since 1970s. Growth of Scottish and Welsh nationalism. James Callaghan’s labour held referendums on devolution. Wales said no and Scotland had too low of a turnout.
After Blair’s victory in 1997 referendums were held, Scottish voters were asked if they wanted a Scottish parliament (74.3% yes) and if they wanted tax varying powers (63.5% yes).
Scottish parliament
Scottish parliament has 129 members, elected using the additional member system.
73 MSPs elected in single member constituencies and 56 members from party lists
First minister is usually the head of the largest party, they are head of the government and they appoint a cabinet. This is currently Nicola Sturgeon (SNP).
Scottish parliament building is called Hollywood
The 1998 Scotland act
Have Scottish parliament primary legislative powers in a range of areas (law, health, education, transport, environment and economic).
Also have them tax varying powers, to vary the rate of income tax by 3%
The 2012 Scotland act let them set the rate of income tax.
This act included reserved powers on nuclear power, immigration, national security and constitutional arrangements
Independence referendum 2014
SNP won a landslide election in 2011, which put an independence referendum on the agenda. West minister granted Scottish parliament temporary powers to hold a referendum.
Held on the 18th September 2014, with 55.3% saying remain and a turnout of 84.5%
2016 Scotland act
During referendum campaign the three main parties promised further devolution.
New powers included power to set tax rates, control over some welfare benefits, road signs and speed limits.
SNP argues this fell short of devomax, where Scottish parliament have full responsibility for all taxes, duties and spending
Northern Ireland devolution
Assembly consists of 108 members, elected by the single transferable vote. The number is set to be cut by the 2021 elections. The executive is the first minister (head of largest party, currently Arlene Foster DNP).
Also have a deputy first minister (head of the second largest party).
Assembly building is called Stormont
Good Friday agreement 1998
Established power sharing devolution and required the uk and Irish government to amend their constitutions to clarify the status of Northern Ireland.
Assembly has primary legislative powers but not tax raising powers but corporation tax was devolved in 2015.
Some legislative measures require cross community support from unionists and nationalist parties
Welsh devolution
Assembly has 60 members, elected by additional member system. 40 from single member constituencies and 20 from 5 multi member regions using the regional list system.
Head of the executive is the first minister (head of the largest party, currently Carey’s Jones, Welsh labour).
Welsh assembly building is called Senedd
The 1998 government of wales act
This initially gave Wales executive and secondary legislative powers. But the 2006 government of Wales act gave Wales primary legislative powers if approved by a referendum (happened in 2001 with 64% saying yes).
2014 act gave Wales control of landfill tax and stamp duty.
2017 act devolved all powers, except for reserved powers.
Have control of speed limits, local elections, control of some income tax (10p in the pound).
Devolution in England
Local authorities- 55 unitary authorities, 27 county councils, 201 district councils and 36 metropolitan borough councils.
London has the Greater London authority responsible for economics, transport and policy. Consists of one elected mayor and a 25 member London assembly. 16 local authorities outside London with elected mayors.
Combined authorities- greater Manchester combined authority
Further devolution
English parliament
Idea is that England has legislative powers over domestic English laws with an English executive
The advantages of this is that this would complete devolution, create a coherent system with a federal UK parliament just responsible for UK wide issues.
However the disadvantages of this is that it would create tension between UK and English parliament. Only 20% of the English public are in favour and it wouldn’t be equal as England is bigger than the other nations
Further devolution
EVEL
This links to the West Lothian question that why should Scottish MPs vote on English matters when English MPs don’t vote on Scottish matters. Without support from Scottish MPs tuition fees wouldn’t have increased.
In 2013 the McKay commission said parliament needed to be reformed so only English MPs vote on English matters. EVEL was introduced in 2015.
However determining the territorial extend of a bill can be problematic. Also EVEL would make it hard for governments with small majorities to pass manifestos. Only 6 of 19 governments had enough MPs from England to get a majority.
Further devolution
English regional assemblies
Blair’s government planned to create directly elected regional mayors with elected regional assemblies.
It would make decision making closer to the people and address the different interests of regions. Created a more balanced devolution as England is too big for its own parliament.
However this has little public support, 2004 referendum in the north east got a 78% no, this would also create tension between regional and local governments and it would break up England
Effects of devolution
Quasi-federalism
This has limited parliamentary sovereignty- but Westminster is still sovereign as it can take away the powers but cannot legislate on devolved powers
Quasi-federal parliament - Westminster operates as English parliament and a federal parliament for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Created the joint ministerial committee
Undermines unitary state - there is primary legislative powers in more than one area
Effects of devolution
Policy divergence
Devolved bodies introduce different polices. This can be positive as bodies can respond to their electorate, this helps the rest of the UK as Wales first introduced plastic bag charges and then the rest of the UK did it.
But this undermines the equal rights for UK citizens. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where same sex marriage is illegal.
