DEVOLUTION Flashcards
- Explain and analyse three reasons why devolution can be seen as a process, not an event or specific product. p126
Different reginal assemblies have developed at different points
P – Scotland’s had more powers from the very start
E - In the Scottland Act 1998 such as legislative powers in a number of domestic areas. This then developed through other Acts giving Scotland more financial powers too such as the Scotland Act 2012 which transferred significant tax raising powers to Holyrood.
P – Wales began with an assembly that possessed much fewer powers at the start
E - Due to low support. In the 1997 referendum, only 50.3% supported devolution however their powers have been extended through the Government of Wales Act 2006 and the Wales Acts of 2014 and 2017. Gave Wales more significant primary legislative powers.
P – Process of decolution in Ireland has been a process that has taken time and adjustment and has been far from smooth.
E – Despite devolution having kept relative peace since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the Assembly was suspended between 2017-2020. Collapse of power sharing agreement between DUP and Sinn Fein. Westminster used this time to extend same sex marriage and legalise abortion in the province (July 2019 – Ultimate legislative power of Westminster)
- Explain and analyse three features of devolution to Scotland. p127
P - Scotland Act 1998
E - Gave Scottish parliament primary legislative powers in a number of domestic areas including law, order and health.
P – Scotland Act 2012
E – Transferred significant tax raising powers including the ability to raise or lower income tax by up to 10p. Tax authority called Revenue set up.
P – Scotland Act 2016
E – Further expansion of powers promised by the “no” side in the referendum campaign. New powers involved abortion law, who could vote and equal opportunities. This has led to the voting age being 16 for Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections.
- Explain and analyse three features of devolution to Wales. p128-9
P – Government of Wales Act
E – Set up the Welsh Assembly which had ability to devise secondary legislation in specified areas such as agriculture and fishing.
A – Lacked primary legislative powers
P – Wales Act 2017
E - Gave Wales more significant primary legislative powers. Put Welsh devolution largely on the same footing as in Scotland. Ability to raise taxes by up to 10p in the pounds and set up the Welsh Revenue authority.
P – Senned and Elections Act 2020
E – Officially changed the name of the Welsh government to Senned Cymru. Allowed 16 and 17 year olds to vote in Welsh parliamentary and local elections.
- Explain and analyse three features of devolution to Northern Ireland. p129-131
P – Good Friday Agreement 1998
E – Not only a promise of a return to devolution but also involved measures to embed the peace process after the troubles began in 1969. This created the Northern Ireland Assembly and executive. The 1998 agreement established an assembly which was to be elected using proportional representation (PR).PR was used so that all sections of Northern Ireland’s society would be represented.
P – Suspension of the Assembly between 2017-2020
E – Collapse of power sharing agreement between DUP and Sinn Fein. Westminster used this time to extend same sex marriage and legalise abortion in the province (July 2019 – Ultimate legislative power of Westminster)
P - Power sharing
E – Unlike Scotland and Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly and executive have power shedding embedded in its structure. This ensures there are always executives from both communities. Ministerial posts are allocated on a proportional basis based on party strength.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which supporters of devolution have praised its impact on the UK. p133
P – Allows regional political differences to be expressed
E – Scotland is more left-leaning and through their tax policies this has been demonstrated. Specifically, they have increased income tax by 46p to the highest earners
P – Encouraged innovation in policy making
E – “legislative laboratories” – policies tried then represented. Wales to lead the nation in terms of health policies. Human transplantation Act 2015 opt-out system adopted. Scottish parliaments decision in 2006 to ban smoking.
P – Maintain peace in Northern Ireland
E – Enabled cross-community co-operation since the ceasefire in 1995. This is partly because of the structure of the assembly and the power sharing agreement with which ensures there are executives from both communities.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which opponents of devolution have criticised its impact on the UK. p133
P – Not muted demands for separation and thus weakened union
E – Devolution has given many the confidence that they can run their own affairs. Additionally, the SNP are still calling for a second independence referendum.
A – Increasing relevant since BREXIT which further highlighted regional divisions.
P – Divergence in public services and the quality delivered
E – It has been argued that public services are of a worse quality in Wales. In January 2017, waiting times were longer for 7/11 main operations compared to England and Wales has the lowest pay of any region. Free tuition fees in Scotland whilst English students must pay £9000 a year.
P – Expensive to establish and maintain
E – In 2010 it was revealed that the Scottish parliament cost the British taxpayer £72 million a year to run. The building itself cost 10 times more than budgeted at £414 million
A – Increasing significance in a cost-of-living crisis
- Explain and analyse three features of devolution to England. p134-135
P – There are 57 Unitary Councils
E – These are single-tier bodies responsible for the full range of local services including education and social care.
P- Combined authorities
E – Since 1999 there have been a small number of combined authorities which enable and group of two or more councils to take collaborative decisions across council boundaries
A - The creation of a CA means that member councils can be more ambitious in their joint working and can take advantage of powers and resources devolved to them from national government.
P – City Mayors
E – Directly elected city mayors enhance democracy and can make a huge difference in the city. Andy Burnham and homelessness
- Explain and analyse three arguments in favour of an English parliament. p136-7
P – Permanent answer to West Lothian Question
E – In 2015, Scottish MPs were able to block Conservative proposals to lift the existing ban n fox hunting in England. English parliament would ensure that decisions affecting England would be made by English MPs on behalf of the English people without disruption/interruption from other nations.
P – Increasing support among MPs
E – A private members bill proposing a federal structure for the UK including an English parliament was introduced by Conservative backbencher Andrew Rosindell.
A – In 2014, 78% voted no to the creation of a North East Assembly
P – It has worked where it has been implemented in England
E – 26 deals have been concluded in England for English devolution included elected mayors and regional assemblies which have made a significant difference in their communities. Andy Burnham has reduced homelessness by 67% since 2017 in Manchester.
- Explain and analyse three arguments against an English parliament. p136-7
P – Larger than other regions in terms of size and it’s economy
E – With 84% of the UK population being in England. Too large to allow for effective devolution as seen in other regions. The importance of England to the national economy would mean decisions made in an English parliament would have a significant impact on the other regions.
P – Undermine the role of parliament
E – Lose it’s claim to sovereignty because it would have little power over anything beyond defence and foreign relations. Reflect a more federalist system.
A – Increasing significance, odd move after BREXIT which aimed to return sovereignty to Westminster.
P – West Lothian Question is not a major problem
E- England has 533/650 MPs meaning that other regions can only alter the outcome of results if there is significant support from English MPs
- Explain and analyse three ways in devolution has impacted the government of the UK. p138-140
P – The British Constitution
E – Changed from unitary framework to a so-called “quasi-federal” structure. The UK now has strong elements of a federal state as regions can decide on their own domestic policies very likely for devolution to be repealed.
A – Permanent change – Scotland Act 2016, Westminster cannot legislate in devolved matters without consent
P – Policy variation
E – Income tax rates, university charges, prescription fees. During COVID each region handled it differently. For example at the end of May 2019 6 ppl could meet up in England, 8 in Scotland, Unlimited in Wales from 2 Households and 4-6 in NI.
P – Alternative Voting Systems
E – AMS has often resulted in minority/coalition governments in devolved regions – encourage cross-party co-operation. Multiparty governance is the norm in devolved regions.
- Explain and analyse three laws passed since 1998 concerning devolution. (textbook)
P – Scotland Act 2012
E – Transferred significant tax raising powers including the ability to raise or lower income tax by up to 10p. Tax authority called Revenue set up.
P – Wales Act 2017
E - Gave Wales more significant primary legislative powers. Put Welsh devolution largely on the same footing as in Scotland. Ability to raise taxes by up to 10p in the pounds and set up the Welsh Revenue authority.
P – Cities and `Local Government Devolution Act 2016
E – Metro-mayors elected for the first time to lead several combined authorities in England. By 2015 there were 15 directly elected city mayors making a difference such as Andy Burnham reducing homelessness in Manchester by 67% since 2017.
- Explain and analyse three significant consequences of devolution for UK politics.’ (ZigZag)
P – Maintain peace in Northern Ireland
E – Good Friday Agreement 1998 and the devolution that followed has enabled cross-community co-operation since the ceasefire in 1995. This is partly because of the structure of the assembly and the power sharing agreement with which ensures there are executives from both communities.
P – Expression on political and ideological differences between regions
E – Scotland is more left-leaning and through their tax policies this has been demonstrated. Specifically, they have increased income tax by 46p to the highest earners.
P – Rise of smaller parties in UK democracy
E – SNP main party in Scotland with the Green party holding seats due to the regional list and until April 2024 they were in a coalition in Wales. NI has none of the 2 main parties running in constituencies and the two main parties are the DUP and Sinn Fein. In Wales Plaid Cymru is in a co-operation agreement with Labour.
