Constitution - Decentralisation Flashcards
What is devolution?
Delegation of power from a centralised body (UK Parliament) to a subordinate institution (regional assembly)
What is primary legislation?
The ability to make, introduce and pass laws itself without consideration to the centralised institution
What is secondary legislation?
The powers to make decisions as to how particular pieces of primary legislation which have been made in Westminster should be implemented
Do all 3 National Assemblies have primary legislative power?
Yes, over health and education, but some assemblies have more than others, e.g. taxation
What is meant by describing the UK as a unitary state?
This means that sovereignty is solely in the centralised body (Westminster) and some of it is delegated through legislation, i.e. an act of Parliament can change the power of the devolved assemblies
How is a unitary state different to a federal state?
In a federal state devolution is entrenched in a constitution, sovereignty is shared between the centralised body and devolved assemblies and only a constitutional amendment can change this
Which act established the Scottish Parliament?
The Scotland Act 1998
Why do some assemblies have more powers than others?
The legislations passed for each assembly was in response to events in each region, e.g. the Scotland Act 2016 was passed in response to 45% voting for Scotland to be independent in the 2014 Scottish Referendum
What is asymmetric devolution?
Where different devolved assemblies have different powers
What were the 2 purposes of devolution?
-Ensure the integrity of the union
-Adequately represent the interests of the people
Which place was the first to be devolved?
Northern Ireland
Why wasn’t ’Home Rule’ (self-governance) introduced in 1912?
The outbreak of the First World War
What was the name of the uprising in Ireland in 1916?
Easter Rising
What was the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and what caused it to be introduced?
This act divided Ireland into 2 self-governing UK territories, the 6 most northerly counties run by a devolved assembly in Belfast and Southern Ireland ran by Dublin
It was introduced due to Sinn Féin’s refusal to take their seats in Parliament won from the 1918 general election and declaring the independence of Ireland leading to war
What are 3 arguments in favour of devolution?
1) Addresses the problem of over-centralisation
2) Makes a break up of the UK less likely (55% of Scotland voted to remain in the UK in 2015)
3) Areas of strong regional identity could benefit from devolution (e.g. Cornwall)
