3.1.1.2 The Structure and Role of Parliament - E

Question 1

Arguments FOR a english parliament

Answer 1

1. It would further reduce the centralisation of power in Westminister -> reduces the dominance of London over english politics
2. uniform devolution, end D asymmetry in the UK (Tmay 1998)
3. provides a permanent answer to the WLQ and ends EVEL
4. Gives a clear expression and priority to english identity and interests (right wing views can be reflected in E parl and E leg as there is political divergence between Uk countries, seen with brexit)
5. growth in support among Tory politicians (scottish parl former leader Alex Salmond)
6. devolution has holistically worked well in other parts of the UK

Question 2

arguments AGAINST a english Parliament

Answer 2

1. lack of public enthusiasm for it, or an elected city government
   - rejected mayors and 78% no vote to a northern eastern assembly in 2004
   - devolution elsewhere does not affect support for an english parliament and preference is for regional assemblies
2. undermines west ministers role, as england is a large part of its responsibilities, undermines PSOV
3. english parliament dominates economically and by population in a federal UK (85% of total population and generates the bulk of the national GDP)
4. much argument over location (london for WM, midlands, or north?)
5. considerable extra costs involved in the creation of an additional layer of government –> reps and civil servants recruited that need to be paid
6. lacks a cohesive and strong cultural identity found in other parts of the country –> North and south divide

Question 3

3 ideas that could solve the english question

Answer 3

1. english parliament
2. EVEL @ WM
3. elected regional assemblies

Question 4

what is English Parliament

Answer 4

• has legislative powers over domestic english issues
• has the same devolved powers as scotland etc.
• english executive/government created to implement policy

Question 5

benefits of the english parliament

Answer 5

• completes Dev and resolved english Q
• creates a coherent system of devolution –> federal UK parl and gov for UK, WM is no longer a mixture of both
• gives politica; and institutional expression to english identity and interests

Question 6

problems with english parliament

Answer 6

• creates additional gov layer –> tensions between the 2
• devolution for all is not coherent or equitable as England is much bigger
• limited support for it

Question 7

why was EVEL @ WM introduced + benefits

Answer 7

• WLQ: Mps can not vote on devolved matters but others can VV
• EVEL therefore solves WLQ

Question 8

problems with EVEL

Answer 8

• detrimental as english activities do affect other countries
• creates classes of MPs
• makes gov with small Parl majority struggle to deliver manifesto committments
• politicises the role of the neutral speaker (must decide which laws affect only england)

Question 9

TBlair and elected regional assemblies

Answer 9

• 8 regions in England given limited executive powers
• proved unsuccessful when 78% no vote for NE assembly

Question 10

benefits of elected regional assemblies

Answer 10

• decision making is closer and address different regional interests
• more balanced devolution (E too large for normal Dev)
• takes over from unelected Quangos

Question 11

problems with regional assemblies

Answer 11

• few areas of england have a strong sense of regional identity
• it would break up england and fail to provide expression for english interests and identity
• there would be tensions between regional and local government
• regional assemblies would be dominated by urban rather than rural interests
• little public support for creating a regional layer of government in england

Question 12

local government

what do they do

Answer 12

• lowest level of government and only elected branch below central gov
• greater L authority: strategic responsibility 4 economy, development, transport, planning and policing
• despite central gov encouragement only 16 local authorities outside london had directly elected mayors in 2016 + 6 more in combined authority in 2017

Question 13

powers and responsibilities of local governments

Answer 13

• power over roads, planning, social services, housing, environmental health, transport, leisure services etc
• organise and regulate + fund provision by bodies (housing associations, academy schools etc)

Question 14

local government tiers

Answer 14

• county councils and districts/boroughs city councils
• some areas have unitary authorities –> responsible for local governmental functions and performing additional powers

Question 15

how did the new labour devolve powers to english regions

regional development agencies

Answer 15

• created new bodies to rep E regions, so policy reflects their needs
• regional developmental agencies: develop strategies for economic development, investment and employment
• scrutinised by regional chambers/local gov interest groups

Question 16

what did labour want to introduce and why were those plans scrapped

why were they thought to be opposed

Answer 16

• aimed to democratise - 23-25 elected reps with limited power to set targets and strategies for the regions rejected
• north east assembly referendum - Nov 2004 no vote 77.9 so other two cancelled and the plan was scrapped
• opposition was seen as due to protest against the iraq war 2005, and regions thought the new assemblies would be weak

Question 17

how did new labour devolve power to london

Answer 17

• 1998: 72% for elected mayor + elected london assembly
• Mayor: given multi billion pound budget for economy, social problems and the environmental development of the capital, fire and police, transport and the ability to lobby against the government for money and investment
• scrutinised by greater London assembly

Question 18

what are local enterprise partnerships

Answer 18

• business led partnerships between local authorities and local private sector businesses –> plans for local economic growth
• each LP covers functional economic area: businesses cooperate and compete and has commuters, not like a local A

Question 19

what are combined authorities

Answer 19

• local democracy, economic development and construction act 2009
• created CA: formal partnerships between 2+ neighbouring unitary authorities
• devolved more powers if an appointed leader is elected

Question 20

what are regional devolution deals

Answer 20

• where combined authorities elect mayors and receive devolution/ power transferred
• each deal is unique, but usually includes adult education, welfare to work programmes, transport, planning and land use etc
• most significant deals given to those who directly elect a mayor

Question 21

WLQ + EVEL

Answer 21

• S,W,NI vote on E only matters but not vice versa?
• english and w mps given 2 options to veto all or particular clauses of bills that affect only E+W

however:
- abolished in 2021 by commons vote as it undermined the constitutional principles that all mps have voting rights (tiers of mps created)
- failed to create a collective e voice as they cannot push things but only block
- tories have not put through bills that require support from non english mps to be passed so redundant