devolution Flashcards
Administrative devolution
allows regional institutions to implement policies decided elsewhere
legislative devolution
operates through the elected regional assemblies that are invested with policy- making responsibilities and, usually, have some tax-raising powers
asymmetric devolution
a form of devolution that operates differently in different regions, with no common pattern of devolved powers and responsibilities within the state
primary legislative power
the ability to make law on matters which have been devolved from Westminster
Secondary legislative power
ability to vary some laws passed by the houses of parliament, creating dependency on Westminster legislation
what are the two large nationalist parties in Wales and Scotland
- Plaid Cymru (Party of Wales)
- Scottish National Party (SNP)
what was the deal for Scottish devolution and when
The Scotland act 1998
what was the deal for Welsh devolution and when
The Government of Wales Act
Successes with devolution in Scotland
- there was an increase in Scottish budget from the ‘Block Grant’
- much more trusted then Westminster
- introduced free personal care for the elderly, abolition of upfront tuition fees and ban on smoking in public areas
- PR has meant there has been no majority since 2011
Failures with devolution in Scotland
- all major fiscal powers remained in Westminster
- Poor turnout - only 60% voted for or against devolution
- NHS performance is deemed worse in Scotland
- Scottish have a lower life expectancy
- people within the SNP arrested for taking money out of the party
successes with devolution in Wales
- employment rate has risen by 6%
- Government policy of ReAct and ProAct helped workers during the 2008 recession
- introduced a levy on plastic bags
- inactivity rates have fallen
- More women are doing paid work
- they are leaders in recycling and put lots of money towards it
- abolished the right to hurt children to discipline them and lowered speed limit near schools
failures with devolution in Scotland
- loss of publicity and transparency in the gestation and implementation policy
- Investment in Wales failed to keep up with other parts of the UK
- education standards were deteriorating in Wales compared to England
- Slower average download speed despite deal with BT
- Welsh universities received lower funding per student
- more caution around Welsh politics
- Welsh GVA has been volatile
What was some context before the N. Irish devolution
there was lots of conflict between the Nationalist and Unionists in the country. The IRA and political terrorism
who were the Unionists and Nationalists
Unionist - supporters of continued union with the UK
Nationalist - supporters of rights for Catholics and reunification of all Ireland
what was Home Rule
a 19th century campaign to achieve a devolved parliament in Dublin
what was the Provisional IRA
an armed group committed to forcing reunification. Formed in 1969, it disarmed under supervision in 2005
what was the Good Friday Agreement
a landmark treaty which created the current Northern Irish Assembly as well as other institutions aimed at maintaining peace
what is the N. Irish Unionist party
Democratic Unionist Party
what is the N. Irish Nationalist party
Sinn Fein
what was designation in the N. Irish assembly
members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) must designate themselves either Unionist, Nationalist or Other. The 2017 designations were 40 Unionist, 39 Nationalist and 11 Others
what is Cross Community Voting
Parallel consent - where a motion needs the support of half the MLAs in total and half the Unionist and Nationalist MLAs also
Weighted majority - support from 60% of total MLAs and at least 40% of Unionists and Nationalists
what is a petition of concern
if motions worry MLAs, the signatures of 30 of the 90 MLAs can trigger a cross-community vote
what is shared executive
First minister and Deputy First Minister must be the leaders of the largest party within each designated block, if one resigns the other ceases to hold office
how has the amount of violence changed in N. Ireland changed since 1998
158 people have died in conflict-related deaths, compared to approx. 3500 during the 30 years preceding it
