Devolution

Question 1

how has england tried to introduce devolution?

Answer 1

• proposed regional assemblies e.g., in the north east
• new city regions with elected ‘metro mayors’
• London mayor and assembly of 25 members

Question 2

how has this attempted devolution in england failed?

Answer 2

• 78% voted against north eastern assembly in 2004 and thus no further attempts were made
• only 7 new city regions with metro mayors have been created
• other areas with elected mayors have scrapped the idea and returned to traditional govt e.g., Stoke and hartlepool

Question 3

what are the powers of the london mayor?

Answer 3

• have power over policing, transport and economic development
• Ken Livingston introduced congestion charge
• they are significant political figures e.g., Sadiq Kahn clashing with Trump

Question 4

what is the west-lothian question?

Answer 4

-it questioned why Scottish MPs were able to vote on english matters in parliament whereas english MPs were not able to vote on scottish matters in the scottish parliament

Question 5

how was the west lothian question resolved?

Answer 5

• in 2013, something called English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) was introduced which gave a veto to english MPs which they can use on a bill or part of a bill that only effects england

Question 6

what are the problems with EVEL?

Answer 6

• arguably creates two tiers of MPs with scottish MPs not being able to vote on all issues in parliament
• it is arguable that any public spending in England also has an impact elsewhere as that money cannot be used in scotland

Question 7

when was the scottish parliament founded?

Answer 7

-created by the Scotland Act 1998 following a referendum which also gave it primary legislative and tax varying powers

Question 8

what is one of the problems with scottish devolution?

Answer 8

it was originally done to prevent scotland wanting independence but the SNP and nicola sturgeon have used their power to garner greater support for independence

Question 9

how has the Scottish parliaments powers grown over time?

Answer 9

• 2016 Scotland Act post indy referendum gave scottish parliament ability to:
  1. set income tax rates and bands
  2. the right to 50% of all VAT raised in Scotland
  3. control over key welfare benefits
  4. control over speed limits
  5. the franchise for scottish parliament elections - 16 year olds allowed to vote

Question 10

what things have the scottish parliament done with their powers?

Answer 10

• made university education free
• minimum price on alcohol
• free prescriptions

Question 11

what has the welsh parliament done with their powers?

Answer 11

• declared no exams in summer 2021

- made welsh compulsory to 16

Question 12

give an example of how the welsh parliament has less power than the scots

Answer 12

-they do not have control over law and order which the scottish do

Question 13

what is an example of where devolution failed?

Answer 13

-NI assembly didnt function from 2017 to 2020

Question 14

what has NI used their powers to do?