Alternates For Governance

Question 1

INTRO

Answer 1

The unwritten constitution of the UK has came under much scrutiny in the past few years s Scotland has begun to voice it’s unhappiness with Westminster and the unfair First Past the Post voting system. Due to concern over these issues, there has been an increasingly popular independence movement in the country, with this culminating the 2014 independence Referendum, were the Scottish people decided to remain part of the UK. However, debate rages on as to whether Scotland would be better off as an independent or whether devolution offers the best solution.

Question 2

1P

Answer 2

One reason why many people believe independence is beneficial because it will give Scottish politicians power over all political decisions.

Question 3

1E

Answer 3

This means that independence will mean Scotland taking complete responsibility for its own affairs and will make all of the decisions on different matters.

Question 4

1E

Answer 4

For example, the current SNP Scottish government currently oppose the so called bedroom tax, but cannot change it because the Westminster government implemented it, and taxation is a largely reserved matter.

Question 5

1A

Answer 5

This demonstrates that if Scotland were to become an Independent state, the government would be able to remove the bedroom tax, as all reserved matters would now by extended to come under the power of the Scottish government. It is evident that all domestic political matters would be controlled by the Scottish government under an Independent Scotland, which may be beneficial as it means only Scottish politicians elected by the Scottish people can have their say on matters here.

Question 6

1R

Answer 6

However, many argue that devolution is beneficial as it allows the Scottish government to make some decisions while reserving other matters for the Westminster parliament.

Question 7

1E

Answer 7

For example, under devolution currently, the Scottish parliament has powers over health and education, while foreign policy decisions remain under the jurisdiction of the Westminster parliament.

Question 8

1A

Answer 8

This demonstrates that Scottish politicians still have power over important issues, whle when it comes to foreign affirs, decisions will be made by the UK, a more powerful state as a whole.

Question 9

1L

Answer 9

This may benefit scotland as it means they a part of a more powerful nation on the world stage as part of the UK, putting them inn a better negotiating position.

Question 10

2P

Answer 10

Many believe Scotland would be economically better off as an Independent nation.

Question 11

2E

Answer 11

This is because many claim Scotland would be wealthier due to its plentiful natural resources.

Question 12

2E

Answer 12

For example, oil has been drilled for in Scotland since the 1970’s, but it has to share the revenue it makes from ths oil with the wider UK while part of it.

Question 13

2A

Answer 13

This demonstrates that Scotland could potentially be better of as an independent nation as they can fully reap the rewards of these natural resources without having to share some with the rest of the UK. It is evident that Scotland could potentially be a financially prosperous independent nation.

Question 14

2R

Answer 14

However many argue that Scotland benefits financially from being part of the UK.

Question 15

2E

Answer 15

This means as part of the UK Scotland I able to benefit from sharing in all of the financial resources of the UK, meaning it will not suffer so significantly under a recession.

Question 16

2E

Answer 16

For example, an independent Scotland would not have been able to bail out big banks like RBS during the credit crunch.

Question 17

2A

Answer 17

This demonstrates that there is added financial stability from being part of the wider UK.

Question 18

2L

Answer 18

It is evident that the Scottish people have potentially benefitted over the years from being part of the UK.

Question 19

3P

Answer 19

Many believe that Scotland would benefit from devolution on the ground of security.

Question 20

3E

Answer 20

This is because as pat of the UK, Scotland has additional global connections, is a member of many international organisations and is involved in the British armed forces, which is said to be one of the strongest militaristic forces on the planet.

Question 21

3E

Answer 21

For example, the UK is part of NATO, an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries. This demonstrates that as part of the Uk Scotland has a more powerful militaristic force that is part of strong international bodies.

Question 22

3A

Answer 22

It is evident that if Scotland were to become an independent nation, there is no guarantee that Scotland would remain a member of these organisations.

Question 23

3R

Answer 23

However, many argue that Scotland would benefit from being independent as it would be able to make its own decisions about defence.

Question 24

3E

Answer 24

This means that as it stands, defence is a reserved matter, and so Scotland do not have the power to make militaristic decisions or have its own independent military.

Question 25

3E

Answer 25

For example, the current party in power in Scotland, the SN, are opposed to nuclear weapons, and despite this, the UK government plans to spend £100 billion on nuclear warheads in the years ahead, some of which are based Faslane, not far from Glasgow.

Question 26

3A

Answer 26

This demonstrates that many people in Scotland do not view nuclear weapons favorably, having voted for a party wo are against them, and as a result the nation may be better suited as an independent one that has power to make decisions regarding nuclear weapons itself.

Question 27

3L

Answer 27

It is evident that an independent Scotland would have the power to choose which wars it got involved in, and how it handled its militaristic affairs.

Question 28

CONC

Answer 28

Ultimately, it is impossible to say whether or not Scotland would benefit from becoming an independent nation unless it actually becomes on, as arguments from both sides on the grounds of economics, security and decision making are so compelling. On top of this, public opinion on the matter is so divided tat it is almost impossible to determine if people’s mindsets have change since the referendum in 2014, with recent opinion polls from the Sunday times showing that while 45% still support independence 51% are against it and a further 4% remain undecided.