1.3 The Role And Powers Of Devolved Bodies In The UK And The Impact Of This Devolution On The Uk Flashcards
What was Labour’s promise in the 1997 general election regarding devolution?
Labour promised referendums in Wales and Scotland to see if people wanted devolved powers. Scotland voted strongly in favour of a parliament; Wales narrowly supported creating an assembly.
Why did Tony Blair support devolution?
Blair believed devolution would modernize the UK, allow decisions to be made closer to local people, and help preserve the Union by satisfying nationalist demands for more self-rule.
What did the 2011 Scottish Parliament election lead to?
The SNP won a majority and pushed for an independence referendum, which took place in 2014. Scotland voted 55% to remain in the UK, but later EU-related tensions reignited the independence debate.
What imbalance exists in UK devolution?
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have devolved powers, but England (84% of the population) doesn’t have its own devolved parliament, creating a power-sharing imbalance.
What powers were devolved to Scotland under the 1998 Scotland Act?
Powers over education, health, local government, housing, environment, law and order.
What is “devo max,” and when was it promised?
“Devo max” refers to giving Scotland the maximum devolution short of full independence. It was promised by UK leaders during the 2014 referendum campaign to encourage Scots to vote to stay in the UK.
What powers were added in the Scotland Act 2016?
Power over abortion law, air passenger duty, speed limits, and the declaration that the Scottish Parliament and government are permanent parts of the UK constitution.
How has devolution let Scotland make different decisions from the rest of the UK?
Scotland banned smoking in public places in 2006, offers free university education and prescriptions, lowered the voting age to 16, and introduced minimum alcohol pricing in 2018.
How did the Covid-19 pandemic highlight the effects of devolution?
Devolved governments made independent decisions, strengthening regional identities and weakening Scotland’s attachment to Westminster.
What was the SNP’s result in the 2019 and 2021 elections?
In 2019, the SNP won 48 out of 59 Scottish seats in Westminster. In 2021, they won 64 of 129 seats at Holyrood, reinforcing their dominance in Scottish politics.
What was the significance of the 2022 Supreme Court ruling on independence?
It ruled that Scotland couldn’t hold another independence referendum without UK government approval, confirming that constitutional issues remain “reserved” powers.
How did Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation impact the independence debate?
After Sturgeon stepped down in 2023, parties that want Scotland to stay in the UK—like Labour and the Conservatives—saw a chance to slow down the push for independence. They used the change in leadership to challenge the SNP and reduce support for leaving the UK.
Why is the independence movement in Wales weaker than in Scotland?
Wales was fully absorbed into England’s political and legal system in the past, so it didn’t keep a separate identity like Scotland. This made independence a less important issue for many Welsh people.
How has the Labour Party influenced Welsh politics?
Labour has been the dominant party in Wales, especially in the English-speaking south. This has limited the growth of Plaid Cymru, which promotes independence. In 2019, Plaid won only 9.9% of the vote.
What are the main stages in Wales gaining devolved powers?
In 1997, Wales got a Welsh Assembly. In 2006, the Assembly gained more independence. A 2011 referendum let it pass laws in areas like health and education, and in 2014, Wales gained control over some taxes like income tax.
What are some policies Wales has introduced through devolution?
Wales was the first UK nation to charge for plastic bags (2011), introduced an opt-out organ donor system (2015), declared a climate emergency (2019), and made its own lockdown rules during COVID-19.
How does devolution show the UK is moving toward federalism?
Scotland and Wales now have permanent devolved powers. This shift in power from the UK Parliament to regional governments shows the UK is becoming less centralised and more like a federal system.
Who are the unionists and republicans in Northern Ireland?
Unionists (mainly Protestant) want to stay in the UK. Republicans (mainly Catholic) want Northern Ireland to unite with the Republic of Ireland and leave the UK.
What were The “Troubles” in Northern Ireland?
From 1969 to 1998, there was violent conflict between unionists and republicans. Over 3,600 people were killed. It was rooted in disagreements over Northern Ireland’s future in or out of the UK.
What did the Good Friday Agreement achieve?
Signed in 1998, it created a power-sharing government between unionists and republicans and helped end the violence. It was approved by referendums in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
How does power-sharing work in Northern Ireland?
The First Minister comes from the largest party, and the Deputy First Minister comes from the second-largest. Both have equal power, and if one quits, the other must too — forcing cooperation.
What powers does the Northern Ireland Assembly have?
It controls areas like education, health, transport, agriculture, policing, housing, and the environment. Between 2011 and 2016, it passed 67 laws, including ones on human trafficking and school bullying.
What political challenges has the Northern Ireland Assembly faced?
It was suspended between 2002–2007 and collapsed again in 2017 after Martin McGuinness resigned. It only returned in 2020, showing how fragile the power-sharing system can be.
What is the Northern Ireland Protocol, and why is it controversial?
The Protocol is a rule made after Brexit to avoid having border checks between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (part of the EU). Instead of checking goods at the Irish border, the UK agreed to check goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
This made unionists (who want Northern Ireland to stay fully connected to the UK) angry, because they feel it separates Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain, like it’s being treated differently. That’s why they protested against it.
What happened in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election?
Sinn Féin became the largest party for the first time, but unionists refused to share power due to the Northern Ireland Protocol, making it difficult for the government to function.
What are the four nations that make up the United Kingdom?
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Which UK nations have devolved parliaments or assemblies?
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have devolved institutions. England does not have its own devolved parliament.
Which UK nation has pushed the hardest for independence, and why?
Scotland has had the strongest independence movement, partly due to its distinct legal identity, devolved powers, and majority vote to remain in the EU in 2016.
How has Brexit impacted unity between the UK nations?
Brexit increased tensions, especially in Scotland (which voted Remain) and Northern Ireland (due to the Northern Ireland Protocol), making the union feel more fragile.
What is the main political party supporting independence in Scotland and Wales?
The Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland and Plaid Cymru in Wales.
Why is there no devolved English Parliament?
England makes up about 84% of the UK population, so its interests are often covered by the UK Parliament itself. Calls for devolution in England have been weaker.
What is one similarity and one difference between the devolved systems in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Similarity: Both have their own parliaments and control over key domestic areas.
Difference: Northern Ireland has a power-sharing government between unionists and republicans, while Scotland’s system is more like a typical parliamentary government.
