1.3 The role and powers of devolved bodies in the UK, and the impact of this devolution on the UK.

Question 1

when and why was devolution first considered?

Answer 1

• the first calls for devolution emerged in the 1970s. the labour government of 1974-79 considered the measure, largely under the influence of the SNP, which then had 11 MPs ing Westminster. labour only had a small parliamentary majority so it relied on liberal and SNP support. one of the prices of that support was the idea of devolution of devolution.
• the liberal party and the SNP believed that devolution would enhance democracy in the UK and bring government closer to the people. it was also in response to some early signs of nationalist sentiment in Scotland

Question 2

why were the initial referendums in Scotland and Wales failed

Answer 2

the conservatives insisted on a safeguard, that for devolution to take place, it would be necessary not only for the majority of Scots or welsh to vote for it, but also at least 40% of the adult population approved, taking into account non-voters

Question 3

why was devolution forgotten for 2 decades?

Answer 3

thatcher and the conservatives believed granting devolution to scotland would be the first step on a road that would inevitably lead to Scottish independence

Question 4

why did circumstances change in the 90’s?

Answer 4

• first there were renewed signs of growing nationalism in Scotland and Wales.
• second, and coincidentally, labour was elected to power with a high mandate to reform the UK constitution. devolution was a key aspect of those reforms
• meanwhile in NI a peace settlement had been reached between the rival republican and loyalist communities, to cement the peace, a devolution settlement was also negotiated

Question 5

why is there no English parliament?

Answer 5

• part of the issue is lack of demand, English nationalism has not taken hold or gained sufficient support to lead to a general demand for devolution in England
• the other reason is that England is too large to work as a devolved body, with 84% of the uk’s population and 95% of the uk’s GDP, England would continue to dominate any national parliament
• there is also the fact that many traditionalists feel that Westminster already is an English parliament

Question 6

what was suggested for regional devolution?

Answer 6

• devolve a smilier amount of power to the regions as that being transferred to Wales, in other words administrative but not legislative or financial devolution
• to test public opinion, a referendum was held in the north east region in 2004, the voters rejected the idea by a majority of 78% to 22%

Question 7

what happened with devolution to London

Question 8

arguments that cities should be given more independent powers

Answer 8

• local democracy is closer to the people and will therefore more accurately reflect their demands
• local needs vary a great deal, so the one side fits all suggested by central government control is not realistic
• the uk as a whole is too ‘London-centred’ so autonomous local government may boost local economies and more evenly spread wealth and economic development
  -demonstrating that local councils and mayors have significant powers will give a boost to local democracy

Question 9

arguments that cities should not be given more independent powers

Answer 9

• central control means that all parts of the uk should receive the same range and quality of services
• central control of finance will prevent irresponsible local government overspending
• turnout at local council and mayoral elections tend to be very low, so local government is not accountable enough
• there is danger that the traditional unity of the Uk might be jeopodized

Question 10

what was the result of the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum?

Answer 10

in 1997 a referendum was held in Scotland to gauge support for devolution, the Scots voted overwhelmingly in favour with 74% to 26% on a 60% turnout

Question 11

what happened as a result of the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum?

Answer 11

the following year the Scotland act was passed granting devolution. the main powers were:
- power over the health service
- power over education
- power over roads and public transport
- power to make criminal and civil law
- power over policing
- power to vary the rate of income tax up or down by 3%

Question 12

why was there further devolution to Scotland?

Answer 12

Scottish nationalism continued to grow so much that a referendum on full independence was held in 2014. though the Scots voted 55.3% to 44.7% against independence, so to head off the threat of the independence side winning, the conservatives, labour and liv dems all pledged to increase devolved repsonsibility and power to Scotland. this lead to the Scotland act 2016

Question 13

what did the Scotland act 2016 include

Answer 13

• control over a range of welfare services including housing and disability
• control over some business taxes
• control over income tax rates and control over all receipts from Scottish tax

Question 14

what is the impact of Scottish devolution today

Answer 14

-2016 ref. 62% of Scotland voted to remain, hence there is resentment as Scotland would still like to be part of the EU.
-This has led to demands for increased devolution.
-Moreover, the influence of the SNP has led to further demands for a second referendum (Hamza Yousaf is committed to this).

Question 15

why were fewer powers initially devolved to Wales?

Answer 15

• the referendum on welsh devolution in 1997 was a close run thing
• the majority was only 50.5% to 49.5% on a low turnout of around 50%

Question 16

what did the government of Wales act 1998 introduce?

Answer 16

-the government of Wales act 1998 set up an elected welsh National Assembly and a welsh executive to be drawn from the largest party in the Assembly and headed by a first minister
- the assembly had no powers to make or pass primary laws and the country was given no financial control. in other words, devolution to Wales in 1998 was purely administrative

Question 17

what were the main areas of government devolved to Wales?

Answer 17

• health
• education
• local authority services
• public transport
• agriculture

Question 18

why was the government of wales act 2014 introduced?

Answer 18

• demands for further devolution did begin to increase after 2010. the fact that the lib democrat party was part of the coalition government after 2010 helped the process as they supported further decentralisation of power.
• there were also fears that if considerable new powers were devolved to Scotland the difference between the governments would be too wide
• there had been a small increase in devolved powers through the government of Wales act 2006 which also offered a future referendum to allow the people fo Wales to approve further devolution if they so wished

Question 19

what happened at the 2011 referendum for further welsh devolution

Answer 19

• the welsh vote 63.5% to 36.5% ti approve for further devolution

Question 20

what new powers did the government of Wales act 2014 allow?

Answer 20

• the welsh government was granted control over various taxes including business taxes, stamp duty charged on property sales and landfill tax
• the government of Wales would have limited powers to borrow money on open markets to enable it to invest in major projects and housing

Question 21

what new powers did the government of Wales act 2017 allow?

Answer 21

• the ability to vary income tax by 10p in the pound
• greater freedom in borrowing
• the transfer of administrative and legislative responsibility for more areas

Question 22

why is northern Ireland devolution different?

Answer 22

the devolution settlement was part of the wider resolution of 30 years of conflict between the republican and loyalist communities

Question 23

what was agreed with the Belfast agreement

Answer 23

• in place of the parliament, an assembly was to be elected using the single transferable vote electoral system. STV was introduced to ensure that all sections of a divided society would be represented
• meanwhile the NI executive was based on power sharing, meaning there is no possibility that any single party could gain an overall majority and take control of everything
• powers devolved to NI include: education administration, healthcare, transport, policing, agriculture, sponsorship of the arts

Question 24

what is the impact of NI devolution today?

Answer 24

-Initially, there was harmony as McGuiness & Paisley set up a precedent of unity. However, at present Stormont is closed as they have been unable to come to an agreement.
-This means that Northern Ireland is under direct rule from Westminster.

Question 25

differences made by devolution: examples of how the countries differ from England?

Answer 25

scotland:
-personal care for older people is free
-prescriptions are free
-no uni tuition
Wales
-no school league tables are published
-there is free school milk for under 7s
-more free home care is provided for older people
NI
-gay marriage was not recognised until 2020
-there are greater restrictions on abortion