Devolution

Question 1

Devolution definition

Answer 1

the transfer of the UK Government’s powers to the UK’s nations (= décentralisation)

Question 2

Devolution, since when?

Answer 2

It was started by referendum in 1997 by Tony Blair’s Government. “The biggest programme of change to democracy ever proposed”.

Question 3

Rank countries from most powerful to least + justify

Answer 3

• Scotland▸ 129 members Parliament + First Ministers
• NI ▸ 108 members legislative assembly
• Wales ▸ 60 members legislative assembly
• Greater London ▸ 25 assembly members + a mayor

Question 4

Westminster power

Answer 4

the UK’s Parliament retains power over :
- Foreign affairs
- Defence
- The general economic policy - including general taxation issues
- Social security

Question 5

Holyrood power

Answer 5

the Scottish Parliament since the 1998 Scotland Act has power :
- To pass legislation on anything not reserved to Westminster, including health and education
- It may also vary the rate of income tax
- ask for a referendum on matters of domestic policy

Question 6

The 2014 Scottish referendum

Answer 6

• Scotland has voted against becoming an independent country by 55% to 45%
• A 84.6% turnout = the highest in Scotland since 1951.

Question 7

Stormont

Answer 7

The Norther Ireland Assembly
1998 Good Firday Peace agreement = First Minister & deputies
But a lot of suspensions : From 2002 to 2007, 2017 to 2020 and since February 2022.

Question 8

Operation Banner

Answer 8

British Army mission in Norther Ireland from 1969 to 2007.
> Bloody Sunday, when British soldier shot 13 civilians on a civil rights march

Question 9

The national Assembly for Wales

Answer 9

Limited power institutions. The Assembly cannot create new laws for Wales, as in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but it can alter/oppose existing acts. It does not have tax-varying powers. It’s a more limited assembly. But tbf Wales is quite tiny in size and population so it makes sense that they have less power than Scotland for exemple.

The National Assembly for Wales has the competence to make Assembly Measures for the “Matters” in 20 “Fields” Those fields include:
- Agriculture and rural development, important because the north part of Wales is really rural.
Culture
- Economic development, cf. money given regenerating places (régénération urbaine)
- Education and training
- Environment
- Welsh language e.g. road sign in both languages

Question 10

The GLA

Answer 10

Greater London Authority.
- The mayor sets budgets and strategy, including transport, police and fire services, and economic development. The 25-member Assembly monitors the Mayor and questions him about his decisions.
- Its budget of almost 5 billion pounds is met by the government. As a comparative element, that of Scotland is 30 billion pounds..
⇒ people have complained that the budget is lower for a similar population.