Devolution

Question 1

How did Labour devolve England/attempt to?

Answer 1

Created Regional Development Agencies

Proposed Regional Assemblies - Rejected in North East in 2004 (78% no), no further attempts made in other regions

Question 2

Devolution in England: Elected mayors

Answer 2

2000, Blair gov established elected mayor in London
Coalition gov held referenda in 12 cities about having a directly elected “metro mayor”
Leicester and Liverpool established mayors, Bristol elected its first mayor in 2012 (post will be abolished in 2024 after voters decided to scrap it in 2022), remaining 9 rejected mayors
Powers vary

Question 3

Devolution in England: London

Answer 3

Has greatest level of English devolution: Directly elected mayor and directly elected 25 member London Assembly
Mayor and assembly have power over policing, transport and economic development
London Mayors are significant political figures
London Mayor Ken Livingstone introduced the congestion charfe
Sadiq Kahn has clashed with the gov

Question 4

Devolution: EVEL

Answer 4

West Lothian Question - Why can non-English MPs vote on English matters?
McKay Commission recommended in 2013 that parliamentary procedures should be updated
EVEL was introduced with creation of a Grand Committee stage (English MPs can veto a bill/part of it if it only affects England (Welsh MPs included if bill affects England and Wales)) Bills must still pass in the whole house at third reading, not really EVEL
First used Jan 2016
- Creates two tiers of MPs
- Public spending in England arguably has impact on spending elsewhere
- English majority different to UK majorit, could be harder for Labour to pass EVEL bills
REPEALED 2021

Question 5

Devolution: Scottish Parliament and Gov

Answer 5

Created by Scotland Act 1998 following support in referndum that gave it primary legislative and tax varying powers
129 MSPs: 73 elected in single member constituencies, 56 are “additional members