Devolution Flashcards
Primary Legislation
The ability to make new laws in particular policy areas
Secondary legislation
The ability to make new laws after a piece of primary legislation has granted the assembly this right
Financial devolution
The power to raise taxes rather than rely upon grants from Westminster
What political faction pushed for devolved powers?
New Labour
What is the Welsh assembly called?
The Senedd Cymru (name change in 2020)
When were the Welsh awarded powers
Secondary 1998
Primary 2006
Tax change powers for Welsh when?
2014
What is the Scottish parliament called?
Hollyrood
What government is in charge of Hollyrood
SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party)
When was Scotland given stamp duty powers and income tax powers?
2012
2016
Northern Ireland has a ____ _____ government
Power sharing
What vote system do NI use?
(+describe the process)
STV - Single Transferrable Vote
- order candidates from Highest to lowest (may leave candidates blank)
- must reach a certain quota.
- if not reached, take out the least favourite candidate, awarding the votes to the least favourite to those voters second favourite.
- adjust the quota and repeat until someone reaches the quota.
What was the name of the devolution act in NI?
Good Friday agreement 1998
What did NI do in relation to the troubles?
It eased the troubles
What are the two main parties in NI and what are the two main positions called?
Sinn Féin and DUP
First and deputy first minister.
Arguments for/against an English devolved assembly
We lack a unitary English identity
It would create a power imbalance
EVEL (2015) English votes for English legislation repealed in 2021 (power imbalance)
Prevents suppy and confidence deals
Argument over location
Extra costs
Lack of popular support
Undermine Westminster
All the others have one?
West Lothian question - why should non-english MPs vote on English topics?
Enable an English culture to develop.
What are unitary councils
Where one tier of local government provide local services
3 local services which unitary councils provide
Rubbish collection
Council tax collection
Housing
Planning applications
2 advantages of unitary councils + 1 disadvantage
Makes local policy making more efficient and specific
Allows public money to be saved
BUT
Can go bankrupt
What are combined authorities?
When a group of two or more councils collaborate and make decisions across council boundaries. Eg: Greater Manchester
What are combined authorities?
When a group of two or more councils collaborate and make decisions across council boundaries.
Advantage of combined authorities
More combined money to pay for more ambitious plans
(Dis)Advantage of combined authorities
More combined money to pay for more ambitious plans
City mayors act
London Government act 2000 - any local council can hold a referendum to directly elect a city mayor
Since then they can be elected without a referendum
Hartlepool
H’Angus the Monkey - shows they don’t respect/support a mayor
Is Devolution significant?
Yes!
Changed constitution Scotland Act 2016 - Westminster cannot legislate on devolved areas without consent
(Quasi-federal)
Alternate voting systems - FPTP and STV power sharing
More pressure groups - Children First pushed for smacking children to be illegal - Scotland criminalised it in 2020 and that may have influenced Wales to also decriminalise it in 2022
