Devolution Flashcards
Devolution meaning
-The delegation of some governmental powers (devolved powers) away from the central to regions which have their own elected assemblies that make laws themselves.(agriculture, education, some health services)
-Certain powers of policy-making, WM keeps (defence, foreign policy, trade, Brexit negotiations), reserved powers
How was devolution introduced?
Successfully introduced in 1998 by Blair’s govt.
-Followed a set of referendums 1997-8 where all 3 regions approved proposals for elected devolved assemblies.
-Scotland Act 1998, Govt of Wales Act 1998, NI act 1998
-Blair “the era of big centralised govt is over, time for change, modernity & renewal.”
-Devolution has not extended to England.
Nuances to devolution
- NI had an elected parliament from 1921-72, suspended due to the ‘Troubles’ and later abolished
- Scotland has always had their own education + legal system
Building the UK
-Wales became part of England between 1536-42
-Act of Union 1707 formally united England and Scotland(Kingdom of GB)
-Act of union 1800, GB merged with Ireland
-Southern Ireland became an independent state in 1922
What kind of state is the UK?
-UK is a unitary state(sovereignty is concentrated at central point)
-also a union state(made up of regions that retain distinctive cultural identity)
-multi-level governance is argued(power is spread vertically between levels of government and horizontally between national + sub-national levels)
what is the Sewel convention?
-WM doesn’t legislate on a devolved matter
The roles, powers & responsibilities of devolved bodies
-Scotland & Wales use AMS & NI uses STV.
-Asymmetric devolution:
- Scottish parliament was more powerful from the start (tax raising powers & primary legislative powers).
- Wales had less powers reflecting their lower support for devolution (50.3% in 1997 ref) but has increased through (Govt of)Wales Acts
- Northern Ireland had it less smoothly
-Devolution is a major constitutional change and was partly a response to growing nationalism + independence movements
Different forms of devolution
-Administrative devolution= allows regions to implement policies decided at WM
-Legislative devolution= elected regional assembly to make their own policy
Key devolution legislation for Scotland
-Scotland act 1998
-Scotland act 2012
-Scotland act 2016
Scottish parliament has passed over 300 pieces of leg.
Established following 1997 referendum in Holyrood, Edinburgh.
Led by Humza Yusef & party in power is minority SNP govt since 2021 & has a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens(offered them 2 ministerial seats)
Scotland Act 1998
-Gave the Scottish Parliament primary legislative powers (pass leg) in domestic areas (law & order, health, education, transport etc).
-Could vary the rate of income tax by up to 3p in the pound (SVR)
Scotland Act 2012
-Transferred significant tax raising powers to Scottish parliament, notably the ability to raise or lower income tax by 10p (SRIT).
-Developed stamp duty & landfill taxes to Scotland & allowed govt to borrow up to £5 billion & set up its own tax authority.
Scotland Act 2016
Transferred further major powers to Holyrood parliament.
-Authority over areas such as; equal opportunities, abortion, speeding.
-Allowed for them to set own rate of air passenger duty & create income tax rates across any number of bands & make laws regarding who could vote in Scottish parliament elections.
-partly delivery of promises made by the ‘No’ side of 2014 Scottish Independence ref
2014 Scottish independence referendum
- “Should Scotland be an independent country?”
-‘No’ side won with 53.3% votes(pro-union campaign called ‘Better Together’)
-highest turnout(84.6%) of election/referendum in the UK since 1910
-extended franchise to EU/Commonwealth citizens and 16-17 year olds
-women were 57% for ‘No’ and men were 53% for ‘Yes’
-those earning below 30,000 and 16-24 year olds more likely to vote ‘No’ too (BBC)
Scotland’s attempt at a second referendum
-in 2021, 72/129 seats were won by parties that supported Scottish Independence which Sturgeon said ‘renewed the mandate’ for independence
-Brexit bill gave them a ‘cast-iron mandate’
-drafted a Bill proposing independence ref which the Supreme court overruled as it ‘relates to a reserved matter’ not transferred in the Scotland Acts
Role of Nationalism
-SNP formed in 1934 and began winning seats in 60s
-popular in 70s due to growing electoral support and weakness of 1974-79 Labour govt
-Labour tried to push for devolution to gain support from nationalist parties but was defeated by their own backbenchers
-nationalism revived in 90s due to resentment of London-based conservatives and economic self-confidence linked to North Sea oil
-New Labour introduced more devolution to stem tide of nationalism
Key devolution legislation for Wales
-Govt of Wales act 1998
-Govt of Wales act 2006
-2011 referendum
-Wales act 2014
-Wales act 2017
-Senedd & Elections act 2020
-Established following 1997 referendum, slim majority of 50.3% of votes cast in its favour, on a turnout of 51.3%
-use AMS and have elections every 5 years
-initially given secondary powers only
-titled Senned or Welsh Parliament in Cardiff
-Led by Vaughan Gething -currently four political parties represented in the Senedd, largest party is Welsh Labour, which holds 30 seats and has been in government since 1999
Govt of Wales Act 1998
-Set up the Welsh assembly which only had ability to devise secondary legislation ie specified areas (agriculture, fisheries, education & housing).
-Powers were broadly equivalent to those previously held by Secretary of State for Wales.
Govt of Wales act 2006
-Enables gain of primary legislative powers if approved by referendum.
E.g. Wales passed an ‘opt out’ system for organ donation 2015.
-Also set up proper executive body (Welsh Assembly govt) as of May 2011.
2011 referendum
-Asked “do you want the assembly now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?”
-Welsh assembly gained power to enact primary legislation in 20 devolved areas of policy (health, transport, agriculture).
-‘Yes’ vote of 64%.
Wales Act 2014
Represented first major transfer of tax easing powers including stamp duty, business rates & landfill tax, enabled Welsh govt to replace with taxes specific to Wales.
Wales Act 2017
-Control over electoral system & policy areas (road signs, onshore oil & gas activity, energy efficiency, rails etc).
-Could vary rate of income tax up to 10p & set up Welsh Revenue authority.
-Same footing as Scotland.
Senedd & Elections Act 2020
-Formally changed name of legislature to Senedd Cymru, or the Welsh parliament.
-Gave 16/17 year olds the vote.
