Devolution Flashcards
What 3 reasons led to devolution being introduced?
-Expression for nationalism and silencing calls for complete independence
-Part of New Labour’s constitutional reform programme
-Believed that it would improve public services and economic conditions
What was included in the Scotland Act 1998
It was given the most powers out of all the regions, including control over most public services and significant legislative and tax varying powers.
When did hte SNP come into power?
2007
What powers were reserved to westminster from the scotland act 1998?
lots including foreign policy and defense, with the rest being being left to scotland
When was the first scottish referendum?
2014
What is included in the scotland act 2016?
Gave the scottish parliament further powers, including fiscal devolution, so they can set all income tax rates and bands
WHat 3 areas does scotland currently have power over?
Key public services
Significant fiscal area
Key constitutional powers
Explain scotlands public service power
Includes health and social policy and education
Welfare benefits
Enviromental policy and law also included.
Explain Scotland’s fiscal powers
Control income tax rates and bands
Have hte right to 50% of all VAT raised in scotland
Hollyrood no. raises 60% of its own funds.
Explain Scotland’s constitutional powers
Controls its own composition and elections - AMS
Since the scotland act 2016, it can only be abolished with a referendum, making it permanent in the constitution
2016 also enshrined the sewell convention into law
What is the sewel convention?
Westminster must ask the holyrood for permission if they want to legislate on a devolved matter
What triggered the 2022 scotland devolution ruling?
Due to our uncodified constitution, it was unclear who could legislate for indyref in scotland
how does parliamentary sovereignty influence the 2022 indyref ruling?
parliamentary sovereignty is deemed ot contrast with the popular sovereignty of the scottish people
How did the first scottish independence referendum come about?
a special agreement between the holyrood and westminster called the edinburgh agreement
What was Scotland arguing in the supreme court case 2022?
It could legislate for a second referendum under its own power
what was ruled on in the supreme court case for scotland 2022?
the court ruled that scotland doesn’t have the power to unilaterally legislate an independent referendum and it is a reserved power of teh UK parliament.
What potential is there for future reform in Scotland?
there is little power that can be devolved further, but many polls suggest that another indyref would result in indepdence.
Why did wales receive less power than the other regions?
there was little nationalist entailment in the country, with there only being a 50% turnout and 50.5% yes vote.
What powers was wales initially granted?
Administrative devolution, controlling the enforcement of laws from westminster.
why has wales seen an increase in nationalist sentiment?
-Introduction of devolution
-Issues surrounding brexit
-conscious efforts to revitalise welsh culture
-plaid cymru, a nationalist party, being the dominant force.
When has wales received more power?
2011 and 2017
What power was given to wales in 2011?
primary legislative power
What power does wales currently have?
they are able to legislate on an areas not reserved for westminster
this includes service areas and some constitutional areas such as its own composition and elections (AMS)
What fiscal power does wales have?
it collects 10% of wales income and can vary the bands and rates for this 10%
what further reform could be introduced in wales?
independence is growing in popularity, with some 30% support
This could lead to greater devolution to satisfy autonomy
Wales also demonstrated through covid that it can successfully diverge from english policy.
Why was devolution introduced in Ireland in 1998?
Part of the good friday agreement, a broader peace process between Catholics and protestants
How did the peace process in northern ireland impact its devolution?
Power sharing was key, with the first minister and deputy minster requiring cross-immunity support.
What weakens the northern irish government?
It is very fragile, as when parties refuse to work together it shuts down and westminster becomes sovereign, leading to hte passing of some legislation such as legalising same sex marriage.
What power does northern ireland have?
it has gained little power since 1998 apart from corporation tax and policing, and it now has service devolution.
What further devolution is possible in Norther ireland?
Further devolution is unlikely to occur due to how opposed unionists are to it
However, it is likely that there could be a referendum on the reunification of Ireland, due to the balancing of catholic and protestants in Northern Ireland and the election of Sinn Fein in NI’s government.
