3.1.1.2 The Structure and Role of Parliament - W

Question 1

how is welsh government split up

Answer 1

1. welsh parl
2. elections
3. leaders

Question 2

welsh parliament

Answer 2

• 60 members elected by AMS in total
• 40 members are elected in single member constituencies using FPTP
• 20 are elected in 5 multi-member regions using the regional list system of PR
• usually a coalition gov due to PR (now Plaid Cymru and Labour, LD lost power to L)

Question 3

is the welsh election system to parl more representative than scotland

Answer 3

scotland is more proportional
- 43% use AMS compared to 33% in Wales

Question 4

elections in wales

Answer 4

• held every 5 years after wales act 2014

Question 5

first minister of wales

Answer 5

• the leader of the largest party in the assembly
• heads gov
• appoints cabinet

Question 6

key powers of wales parliament

wales act 2017

Answer 6

• control over income tax rate
• control over elections
• health and social services
• education, culture and environment

WALES ACT 2017:
- featured proposals created from Silk commission
- specified a list of reserved matters, but all else under welsh jurisdiction
- established welsh assembly and gov as permanent parts of the constitution –> renamed as welsh parliament, need a ref to remove

Question 7

key powers of wales not granted

Answer 7

• requested policy and justice to be devolved like the Silk report requested but the UK gov did not agree to it

Question 8

shared powers of wales and scotland

Answer 8

• income tax rates
• specified taxes and duties (eg landfill, stamp duty)
• health and social services
• most environment powers
• elections
• education: uni, secondary, primary
• culture, language, sport, tourism

Question 9

power development of the welsh parliament in 2006

Answer 9

• government act 2006 enabled the assembly to ask for powers to be devolved from West minister
• allowed primary legislative powers –> determined to implement legislation on a range of welsh issues

Question 10

power development of the welsh parliament 2011

significance, what did they gain

Answer 10

• referendum –> 64% ‘yes’ vote for primary leg powers, showed the welsh wanted devolvement not independence
• assembly gained power to make legislation in 20 existing devolved areas

Question 11

power development of the welsh parliament 2014

Answer 11

• put in silks proposals (silk commission by C-LD coalition to transfer further power to the welsh assembly)
  devolved landfill tax and stamp duty control

Question 12

power development of the welsh parliament in 2017

Answer 12

• proposals from a second silk report are presented
• some powers are reserved by WM but all else devolved
• welsh gov and assembly become a permanent feature of the UK constitution
• welsh assembly becomes the welsh parliament

Question 13

power development of the welsh parliament in 2019-2020

Answer 13

• feb: members of the youth parliament met in the senedd chamber
• renamed Senedd Cymru
• 2020: 16 and over can now vote

Question 14

power development of the welsh parliament 2021

Answer 14

• senedd elections held in may: welsh labour party winning 30 seats out of 60 seats + forming the welsh government
• led to the implementation of significant legislative powers for the Senedd over areas such as transportation + local gov enhancing its devolved authority