Devolution Flashcards Preview

A Level Politics UK and Ideologies > Devolution > Flashcards

Flashcards in Devolution Deck (41)
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1
Q

What was deemed the year that changed everything

A

1997

2
Q

What occurred in 1997

A

A new labour came into power

3
Q

What did the new labour want

A

A more representative and accountable government

4
Q

What were some of the powers that were devolved to the states

A

Agriculture
Envivronment
Education
Health and social services

5
Q

What are the issues which are reserved to Westminster

A

The constitution
Defence and national security
Foreign policy

6
Q

What was the result of the Scottish referendum on a Scottish parliament

A

60% turnout

75% yes
25% no

7
Q

How are Scottish parliament members elected

A

Using AMS

8
Q

What is the role of the Scottish parliament

A

To hold the Scottish government to account

Can pass laws and has tax powers

9
Q

What was the name of the act that transferred powers to Scotland

A

The Scotland act 1998

10
Q

What did the calman commission reccomend in regard to further devolution in Scotland

A

The Scottish parliament gained new powers over:
Air weapons
Income tax

11
Q

What happened in 2014 in regard to Scotland

A

A referendum was held run by Scottish parliament on the issue of Scottish independence

12
Q

Describe the referendum on the welsh assembly

A

September 1997- support the creation of a welsh assembly

Turnout= 50%

Yes=50.3
No=49.7

13
Q

Welsh assembly: senedd

Where is it?
How many members?
How are they elected?

A

Cardiff
60 elected members
Additional member system

14
Q

What’s the role of the welsh assembly

A

To represent wales and it’s people, making laws for Wales, agreeing on taxis and holding the welsh govt to account

15
Q

Name 3 powers of the welsh assembly

A

Transport
Justice
Agriculture

16
Q

What is the effect of devolved powers

A

Makes Wales more independent as they have control over there own laws

But it weakens the bond as Wales is no longer as reliant on the UK

17
Q

Describe the referendum on the northern Irish assembly: stormont

A

Good Friday agreement- 81% turnout

71% yes
29% no

18
Q

Northern Irish assembly: stormont

Where is it?
How many members?
What’s the role of the assembly?
How is it elected?

A

Belfast
90
Represent Northern Ireland and to make laws regarding a set limit of issues
Single transferable vote

19
Q

List 3 of the powers the northern Irish assembly has power over

A

Employment
Education
Environment

20
Q

What do many people argue in regard to devolution in the UK

A

That England is being left behind

We should have a English parliament/ assembly

21
Q

The conservatives in 2015 had “to resolve the West Lothian question” on there agenda

What is this?

A

Should MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland be allowed vote on laws that only affect England, yet English MPs cannot vote on matters that are consulted in devolved parliaments

22
Q

What are the arguments in favour of an English parliament

A
  • complete uk devolution

* create a more coherent system

23
Q

What are the arguments against a English parliament

A
  • create tension between the English parliament and uk government
  • not equal as England is much bigger than the other nations in the union
  • very limited public support
24
Q

What is the percentage of people in England which want an English parliament

A

20%

25
Q

What is the most important consequence of devolution

A

The West Lothian question

26
Q

Explain the concept of English votes for English laws

A

The idea proposed by conservatives that only English MPs should get to vote on matters which affect England

Proposed that English MPs are able to veto the legislation before it comes in front of MPs for a final stage

27
Q

Describe the referendum in 2004 for regional assembly in the north east

A

78% said no

28
Q

What are the arguments in favour of devolution to the region

A
  • decision making closer to the people
  • create a more balanced devolution system
  • enhance democracy (more elected official)
  • sense of regional identity
  • catalyse regional development
29
Q

Arguments against devolution to the regions

A
  • few areas have a strong sense of regional identity
  • break up England
  • tension between regional and local govt
  • dominated by urban not rural interests
  • little public support
30
Q

What are….. responsible for

Unitary councils
County councils
District councils
Metropolitan borough councils

A

1) full range of services
2) local services- education n transport
3) housing, leisure
4) urban areas

31
Q

What is Quasi Federal

A

A middle group between parliamentary sovereignty and separatism - devolved powers to regions and Supreme Court etc

32
Q

How are devolved governments funded

A

Funded by grants by the treasury

33
Q

Advantages of devolution

A
  • brings decision making closer to the people
  • has occurred smoothly
  • has delivered peace and power to NI after 30yrs of violence
34
Q

Disadvantages of devolution

A
  • unease in English voters seeing funding devolved govt unfair
  • West Lothian question
35
Q

Define devolution

A

The transfer of power to a lower level

36
Q

Define primary legislative powers

A

An act of parliament given lawmaking powers

37
Q

Defining nationalism

A

Support for one nation regardless of the consequences for other nations

38
Q

Define reserved powers

A

A political power that the Constitution reserves

39
Q

What is a unionist

A

A person who is in favour of the union of Northern Ireland with Great Britain

40
Q

What is power-sharing devolution

A

Where the proportion of unionist must equal the proportion of Nationalists

41
Q

What is the Good Friday agreement

A

Signed to help bring an end to the troubles in Northern Ireland