1.3 The Impact of Devolution on the UK- Wales

Question 1

Plaid Cymru Support:

Answer 1

1. Labour has firm roots in English-speaking South Wales.
2. PC has won most of its support in the Welsh-speaking parts of North Wales.
3. Has rarely achieved more than 10% of the popular vote.

Question 2

Plaid Cymru General Elections seats and percentage in Wales:

Answer 2

1987: 3 , 7.9%
1997: 4 , 10%
2017: 4, 10.4%
2019: 4 seats, 9.9%
2024: 4 seats,

Question 3

Government of Wales Act 1998:

Answer 3

1. Welsh National Assembly and executive.
2. No primary legislative authority.
3. Administrative powers in education, health, transport and agriculture.
4. Have the power to decide implement Acts of Parliament.

Question 4

Why was Wales steadily granted more powers?

Answer 4

Not because of a surge of nationalism, but to ensure a more even balance of power in the UK.

Question 5

Government of Wales act 2006:

Answer 5

1. Separated the executive from the legislature.
2. Granted limited powers of primary legislation.
3. Provided for a further referendum on more devolved powers in 2011.
4. Turnout was 35.4%
5. Vote was in favour of Wales being given the power to enact primary legislation in all areas where power had been devolved.
6. Do you want the WA to make laws on all 20 subject areas 63.5% yes, 36.5% no

Question 6

Wales Act 2014:

Answer 6

1. Control over more taxes like stamp duty, land tax and landfill tax.
2. Changed the name of the Welsh Assembly Government to the Welsh Government- growing significance.

Question 7

Wales Act 2017:

Answer 7

1. Gave Wales the power to vary income tax up to 10p on the pound.
2. New primary legislative powers like electoral arrangements, transport and energy.
3. The Welsh government was a permanent part of the UK constituiton and could only be repealed by a referendum

Question 8

What are some more left wing reforms they have made?

Answer 8

1. Free prescriptions in 2007.
2. First to introduce a single use plastic charge in 2011.
3. 1st to introduce opt out organ donor scheme 2015.
4. 1st country in the world to declare a ‘climate emergency’
5. In 2021, they announced targeted green investment of more than £160 million revenue and a total investment of £1.8 billion capital.

Question 9

Senedd Election Results:

Answer 9

Labour 39.9%, 30
Conservative 26.1%, 16
Plaid Cymru 20.7%, 13 seats