Devolution Flashcards
Who leads the Scottish Parliament?
First Minister Hamza Yousef (current)
How is the Scottish Parliament elected?
AMS system (hybrid of FPTP and party list)
How many ministers make up the Scottish parliament?
129 ministers
Features of the campaign for independence?
- 2014 Referendum: Voted to remain in the UK, although there are still many calls for independence today.
- BREXIT has catalysed some further calls for independence
What powers does the Scottish Parliament have?
- Voting regulation
- Education
- Health
- Income tax
Features of Scotland Act 2016?
- DEVO MAX
- Powers such as income tax & abortion were devolved to the Scottish Parliament
- Set out that if Westminster were to want to dissolve the Scottish Parliament, there would have to be referendum held in Scotland.
- Consent issue
How is the Welsh Parliament elected?
AMS system (hybridof FPTP and party list)
What party dominates the Scottish Parliament?
SNP
What party dominates the Welsh Parliament?
Labour
How many ministers make up the Welsh Parliament?
60
What powers does the Welsh Powers have?
- Transport
- Health
- Voting regulation
- Limited taxation
Features of the Wales Act 2017?
- Road signs
- Income tax discussion
- Policing
How are ministers to the Northern Irish Assembly elected/
STV (ranked)
What parties dominate the Northern Irish Assembly?
DUP and Sinn Fein
How many ministers make up the Northern Irish Assembly?
90
Some powers of the Northern Irish Assembly?
- Education
- Finance
- Health
- Infrastructure
- Justice
Features of the Good Friday Agreement?
- There would be power - sharing between the nationalist and unionist parties.
- No physical borders with the Republic of Ireland.
- US involvement.
West Lothian Question?
The issue of Scottish MPs being able to vote on laws which would only have an impact upon English constituencies, which would not effect themselves, and not vice versa.
Features of the English votes for English Laws campaign/ issue:
- A result of the West Lothian Question
- Set of procedures in the HOC whereby legislation that affected only England required the support of a majority of MPs representing English constitutencies.
- The speaker now decides what is an “English law”
- Example of this: 2016 Housing and planning Bill
Features of the 2004 North East England Devolution referendum?
Declined (77% voted against)
Which was the first elected regional assembly to be created?
London Assembly
Results of the Elected Regional Assemblies campaign/issue?
- Mayor of London
- Low emission zones/ congestion charges in London
What are combined authorities?
Type of local government made up of a partnership of neighbouring councils to enable joint-working on certain policies and services affecting whole localities - Brought in instead of elected regional assemblies (after 2004 referendum).
Powers of Combined Authorites?
Can excersise powers relating to the economic prosperity of a region, as ell as transport and regeneration.
How is funding for Devolved assemblies/ parliaments calculated?
The Barnett Formula
What are the Impacts of Devolution?
- West Lothian Question
- Quasi-Federalism:
- Debates surrounding Parliamentary Sovereignty
- Not a Unitary state - Policy divergence:
- Causes confusion
- Legislation can adapt/ be tailored to local agenda
- Examples: University fees, COVID resitrictions - Issues/ debates surrounding Barnett Formula
