Chapter 5 - 5/6 - Devolution Flashcards
What is devolution?
The process of delegating power - but not sovereignty - from the UK Parliament to specific regions of the country.
What is the difference between UK and US devolution?
In the US devolution is federal and is entrenched by a codified constitution. Devolution cannot be changed in the US without first amending the constitution.
Why might devolution in the UK be described as entrenched, even though we have no codified constitution and the UK parliament retains all sovereignty?
Because devolution due to referendums, and the voice of the people effectively entrenches devolution. The only way power would be returned to Westminster is by another referendum approving it to happen.
What do some call devolution in the UK?
Quasi-federalism
Other than the lack of entrenchment, what else makes UK devolution different from federalism?
Asymmetric devolution. In a federal system (the US for example), each regional government is granted equal powers. This is not the case in the UK.
In a federal system, where do powers not granted under the constitution reside?
With the regional governments.
In a system of devolution, where do powers not specified in the devolution settlement reside?
With the central government.
What are the 3 categories of devolved powers?
- Legislative powers.
- Administrative powers.
- Financial powers.
In what category of devolution does Scotland have more power than Northern Ireland?
Financial devolution.
What sort of devolution does Wales have?
Administrative devolution, but not legislative or financial devolution.
What is EVEL?
English Votes for English Laws.
What problem did EVEL address?
The West Lothian Question.
What was the West Lothian Question?
When Scottish MPs were voting on issues that only affected England and/or Wales.
When was a referendum held to gauge support for Scottish devolution?
1997
What were the results of the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum?
74% voted in favour on a 60% trunout.
When was the first Scotland Act passed and what did it do?
1998; created the Scottish Parliament that was elected in 1999.
Give 3 devolved powers granted to the new Scottish Parliament in 1999?
- Healthcare.
- Policing.
- Power to vary the rate of income tax by 3% either way.
When was a referendum on full Scottish independence held?
2014
When was the second Scotland Act?
2016
Give 2 powers that the second Scotland Act devolved to the Scottish Parliament?
- Housing.
- Regulation of the energy industry.
What was the result of the referendum on Welsh devolution in 1997?
50.5 - 49.5 in favour on a 50% turnout.
When was the first Government of Wales Act passed?
1998
What did the Government of Wales Act do?
Set up a Welsh National Assembly with only administrative devolution; they had no financial or legislative powers.
Give 3 areas the Welsh Assembly has control over?
- Health
- Education
- Public transport
What does the Welsh government rely on?
An annual grant from the UK government.
How much income tax was the Welsh government given control over in 2015?
£3 billion
When was the Belfast Agreement passed?
1998
Why was proportional representation decided on for Stormont in 1998?
To ensure all sides of the divided society would gain representation.
What was guaranteed to all major parties when forming a Northern Ireland Executive?
All parties would receive ministerial places to try and deter any future armed conflict.
When was the Northern Ireland Assembly dissolved by the UK government due to rising tensions between the opposing communities?
2002-2007
What was the result of the Scottish Independence referendum in 2014?
55-45 against.
What differences has devolution brought to Scotland?
- Free care for the elderly.
- No university fees.
- Free prescriptions.
When was the third Government of Wales Act passed?
2014
What did the third Government of Wales Act do?
Granted the Welsh government control over various taxes including business taxes and stamp duty.
What are the 3 reasons there was a third Government of Wales Act?
- There had been growing nationalist sentiment since 2010.
- The Lib Dems in the coalition supported more devolution.
- If more powers were devolved to Scotland then the difference between the nations would be too wide.
When was the Parliament of Northern Ireland abolished and home rule imposed?
1973
What did the Belfast Agreement do?
Restored power to Northern Ireland with an assembly elected using proportional representation.
What areas do the Northern Ireland Assembly have control over?
- Education
- Healthcare
- Policing
- Some law-making
What differences has devolution brought to Wales?
- Free prescriptions for the under-25s.
- Greater help for the homeless.
- More free home care.
What was it hoped devolution would reduce and prevent, and has it done so?
It was hope nationalist sentiment and calls for independence would be satisfied by devolution, and prevent the break-up of the UK. This has not happened.
What decides the finances assigned to each devolved region?
The Barnett Formula
What does the Barnett Formula do?
It adjusts the finances made available to devolved governments from UK tax revenues taking into account the needs of each region vary.
