Devolution

Question 1

What powers have been given to Scotland

Answer 1

-transport
-energy
-social security
-set income tax rates

Question 2

What powers have been given to wales

Answer 2

-secondary legislative powers to the assembly
-law making powers in 20 areas
-tax powers
-transport
-energy

Question 3

What powers have been given to NI

Answer 3

1998- gave powers to legislate
2010- devolution of police and criminal justice
2015- set corporation tax

Question 4

Successes of devolution

Answer 4

-has not led to the break up of the UK
-welsh interest in devolution has increased
-has secured a peaceful environment in NI for 20 years
-elected mayors have led to greater regional identity

Question 5

Failures of devolution

Answer 5

-different policies were necessary to support the different devolved regions
-england has been short changed in the devolution settlement
-it has left the west Lothian question resolved
-interests in devolution assemblies is low
-scottish desire for independence has increased

Question 6

arguments for introducing a codified constitution in the UK

Answer 6

-the major principles would be entrenched
-individual liberty would be more securely protected
-the power of the executive would be constrained
-independent judges would be able to protect the constitution

Question 7

arguments against introducing a codified constitution in the UK

Answer 7

-would be less responsive and adaptable than a uncodified one
-the US constitution had an entrenched bill of rights but it still didn’t guarantee peoples rights in practice
-gov power may be more effectively restrained by regular elections
-judges aren’t the best people to regulate the constitution (unelected + socially unrepresentative, uncodified protects against the tyranny of the judiciary)

Question 8

arguments for greater devolution

Answer 8

-provide a solution to the west Lothian question
-more federal model of gov
-stronger regional identity
-England is the largest part of the UK but doesn’t have a devolved body
-England receives less money per person than the other nations
-EVEL doesn’t solve the west Lothian question
-some parts of the UK would want the ability to make more decisions for their local regions

Question 9

arguments against greater devolution

Answer 9

-complicate the relationship between the regions and parliament
-even more asymmetrical devolution
-little public support for an English parliament
-England would dominate a federal assembly
-EVEL has been used in Westminster to pass English-only legislation
-many areas of England don’t have a strong local identity