Chapter 4-Devolution Flashcards
How many members does the Scottish parliament have?
129 members
How are the Scottish parliament members elected?
Via Additional member system
73 MSPs are elected in single-member constituencies using the FPTP system
56 MSPs are elected as additional members chosen from party lists
Give some examples of reserved powers
Uk constitution
defence and national security
foreign policy
fiscal, economic and monetary systems
What does the Scotland act 2016 state?
- Westminster will not legislate on devolved matters without the consent
- The Scottish Parliament and government are permanent part of the UK constitutional arrangements
- The Scottish parliament and government cannot be abolished unless approved in a referendum in Scotland
What was the Scottish independence result?
- 3% ‘no’ vote
44. 7% ‘yes’
What new powers were devolved by the Scotland act 2016?
- Power to set income tax rates and bands
- some additional taxes and duties including air passenger duty and aggregate levy
- right to receive 50% of VAT raised in Scotland
- control over certain welfare benefits
- road signs and speed limits
- the franchise
Has many members make up the Welsh Assembly?
60 members
How are members in the welsh assembly elected
40 are elected in single-member constituencies using the FPTP system
20 are elected in five multi-member regions using the regional list system of proportional representation
Politics and government differ in Northern Ireland these differences include
- Communal conflict-main political divide is unionists v nationalists
- Distinctive party system-main electoral issue is the constitutional status of NI
- security- campaigns during the troubles killed more than 3,600 people
- a separate system of government, devolution is distinct as it is designed so that unionist and nationalist parties share power
The Northern Ireland assembly consists of how many members?
90 member
Arguments made in favour of an English parliament
- It would complete devolution within the UK and resolve the ‘English question’ by giving England its parliament
- It would create a more coherent system of devolution with a federal UK parliament and government responsible for UK wide issues
- it would give political and institutional expression to English identity and interests
Arguments against the creation of an English parliament
- it would create an additional layer of government and create tensions between the UK government and an English parliament and government
- ‘Devolution all round would not create a coherent and equitable system because England is much bigger than the other nations in the union
- There is limited support
What is the West Lothian Question?
Why should Scottish MPs be able to vote on English matters at Westminster when English MPs cannot vote on matters devolved to the Scottish parliament
Arguments in favour of of devolution to English regions
- it would bring decision making closer to the people and address the differing interests of the English regions
- It would create a more balanced devolution settlement
- It would enhance democracy as regional assemblies would take over the unelected quangos
- Areas such as Cornwall, Yorkshire and the Northeast have a strong sense of regional identity
- Regional assemblies could act as a catalyst for economic and cultural regeneration
Arguments in against of of devolution to English regions
- 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 tension between regional and local government
- regional assemblies would be dominated by urban rather than rural issues
- There is little public support
