5 - Devolution Flashcards
When was devolution first introduced
1999
Where is the scottish parliament and how many members are there
129 and It’s in Edinburgh
What voting system does the scottish parliament use
AMS
Key powers the scottish parliament have
Agriculture
Environment
Income Tax
Education
Health
Transport
Justice,policing and courts
Key areas where the scottish parliament lack power
Foreign policy
Brexit negotiations
Defence and national security
Trade
How many members of the Welsh Parliament
70
What voting system does the welsh parliament use
AMS
Key powers of the welsh parliament
Agriculture
Environment
Education
Health
Transport
Fire and rescue services
key areas where the welsh parliament lack power
Foreign policy
Brexit negotiations
Defense and national security
How many members of the northern ireland assembly
90
What voting system does the northern ireland assembly use
SV
Key powers of the northern ireland assembly
Agriculture
Environment
Education
Health
Transport
Enterprise,trade and investment
Key areas where the northern ireland assembly lack power
Income tax
Foreign policy
Brexit negotiations
Defence and national security
What happened to devolution in 1997
Referendums were held in scotland and wales, both being in favour of devolution
What happened in Northern Ireland 1998
The good friday agreement was signed
When were the devolved assemblies set up in wales and scotland
1999
What was the percentage in the 2011 vote to give wales more dissolved powers
63% in favour
What did the 2012 scotland act do
Gave tax raising powers to scotland and allowed it to borrow up to 2 billion
What happened in the Northern Ireland assembly in 2017
The 2 major party’s DUP and Sinn Fein had a breakdown in relations and the assembly was shut until january 2020
What happened to wales in 2019 and 2020
2019 - Given income tax powers
2020 - Changed name to the Welsh Parliament
Arguments that devolution has worked
Strengthen the union of the UK
Powers of devolved assembly’s have grown
Has consolidated the peace process in Northern Ireland
Arguments that devolution has not worked
The results of the Scottish independence referendum were very close, and many want another vote
Been limited in NI
Tensions in northern ireland remain - eg in 2021 there were protests against the northern ireland protocol
What carry’s out the functions of local government
Single tier unitary authorities - which are local councils
What are two-tier councils comprised off and their role
County and district councils - Functions are split between the two of them
What are metro mayors and 2 examples of places they would be
metro mayors are the mayors of 9 large cities were they serve multiple local authorities
eg - Greater Manchester , west Midlands
Limits on local governments
They have very limited legislative powers
Most functions that involved carrying out responsibilities are done by central government
Most revenue-raising in controlled by central government
Arguments for an English parliament or regional assemblies
Would be a logical extension of the current system
It would bring parity across the uk regarding devolution
Regional assemblies would stop london domination
would solve the west lothian question
Would allow an alternative voting system
Arguments against an English Parliament or regional assemblies
England lacks the national identity of Scotland or wales
There is no support for such a measure - in 2004 a referendum has held to set up an assemblies in the northeast which ended 78-22 against an assembly
Much larger than scotland or wales
Other ways to solve west lothian questions such as english votes for english laws
Electoral reform is a different problem and english devolution shouldn’t be the answer
Has devolution reduced Westminster’s power over certain place
Yes
Has Westminster’s power been reduced overall
No - Devolution rules could be reversed at anytime
Example of variation over the UK
Prescriptions are free in wales and scotland
Those earning over 150k in scotland pay 1% more income tax
