Chapter 4- Devolution Flashcards
What are the early origins of devolution
70s- revival of national cultures.
Callaghan ref. On leg. Assemblies: 79’ Wales: no (20%)
Scotland: 52% but only 33% turnout, needed 40%
When did demands for devolution re emerge
After London-centric gov’s (79-97).
Blair ref. On a SP- 74.3% yes. Tax raising powers (63.5%)
Wales 50.3% yes to welsh assembly
What are the features of the Scottish Parliament
- 129 members, elected using AMS
- 73 MPs elected in single member constituencies using FPTP (53%)
- 43%/ 56 MPs are ‘additional’ members chosen from party lists- 8 multi member regions, each elect 7 members using regional list
What power does the SP have
Under the Scotland Act 1998, SP has primary leg. Power in a range of policy areas- Scot. Gov. Draws up policy proposals and implements leg. (Not westm.)
Give Seine examples of reserved powers
- U.K. constitution
- foreign policy (eu)
- defence/security
- nationality/ immigration
How does the Scotland Act relate to Parliamentary sovereignty
Westminster remains sovereign in all matters and has chosen to exercise its sovereignty by devolving powers. 3 bps
What was the result of the referendum on independence
55.3% no. Turnout 84%
Glasgow, Dundee, north Lanarkshire retuned a maj. Yes vote
What did the Scotland act (2016) do
-power to set income tax (bands)
-receive 50% of VAT raised in Scotland
- franchise for sp elections
Act didn’t go far enough for SNP but did ensure that the Scottish gov. Had significantly more power than subnat. Gov’s in European states
What are the features of the Welsh Assembly
60 members elected by AMS- 40 in single member constituencies with FPTP. 20 in mmc’s with regional list
What powers does the WA have
Used to only have secondary leg. Powers but thanks to the Wales Act (2017), it has primary.
- under the Gov. of Wales Act (2006), Assembly can ask for further powers to be transferred from Westminster if approved in a ref.
2011 ref.- yes to dev. Independence only 10% support
What % of the Irish population is catholic
78.3%
What makes gov and politics unique in NI
- Distinctive party system- no U.K. parties just nat’s and unionists
- it is deigned so that nat’s and unionists share power
What did the Good Friday Agreement (1998) do
Est. A power sharing dev. And required the U.K. and Irish gov’s to Ames their constitution to clarify status of NI
What are the features of the NI Assembly
- 108 members elected by STV system of PR
- primary leg. Powers in most areas, not tax-varying, some legislation requires cross party support
What has been the case with the NI Assembly
collapsed in January 2017 due to policy disagreements between its power-sharing leadership, particularly following the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal
