Devolution Flashcards
What was deemed the year that changed everything
1997
What occurred in 1997
A new labour came into power
What did the new labour want
A more representative and accountable government
What were some of the powers that were devolved to the states
Agriculture
Envivronment
Education
Health and social services
What are the issues which are reserved to Westminster
The constitution
Defence and national security
Foreign policy
What was the result of the Scottish referendum on a Scottish parliament
60% turnout
75% yes
25% no
How are Scottish parliament members elected
Using AMS
What is the role of the Scottish parliament
To hold the Scottish government to account
Can pass laws and has tax powers
What was the name of the act that transferred powers to Scotland
The Scotland act 1998
What did the calman commission reccomend in regard to further devolution in Scotland
The Scottish parliament gained new powers over:
Air weapons
Income tax
What happened in 2014 in regard to Scotland
A referendum was held run by Scottish parliament on the issue of Scottish independence
Describe the referendum on the welsh assembly
September 1997- support the creation of a welsh assembly
Turnout= 50%
Yes=50.3
No=49.7
Welsh assembly: senedd
Where is it?
How many members?
How are they elected?
Cardiff
60 elected members
Additional member system
What’s the role of the welsh assembly
To represent wales and it’s people, making laws for Wales, agreeing on taxis and holding the welsh govt to account
Name 3 powers of the welsh assembly
Transport
Justice
Agriculture
What is the effect of devolved powers
Makes Wales more independent as they have control over there own laws
But it weakens the bond as Wales is no longer as reliant on the UK
Describe the referendum on the northern Irish assembly: stormont
Good Friday agreement- 81% turnout
71% yes
29% no
Northern Irish assembly: stormont
Where is it?
How many members?
What’s the role of the assembly?
How is it elected?
Belfast
90
Represent Northern Ireland and to make laws regarding a set limit of issues
Single transferable vote
List 3 of the powers the northern Irish assembly has power over
Employment
Education
Environment
What do many people argue in regard to devolution in the UK
That England is being left behind
We should have a English parliament/ assembly
The conservatives in 2015 had “to resolve the West Lothian question” on there agenda
What is this?
Should MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland be allowed vote on laws that only affect England, yet English MPs cannot vote on matters that are consulted in devolved parliaments
What are the arguments in favour of an English parliament
- complete uk devolution
* create a more coherent system
What are the arguments against a English parliament
- create tension between the English parliament and uk government
- not equal as England is much bigger than the other nations in the union
- very limited public support
What is the percentage of people in England which want an English parliament
20%
What is the most important consequence of devolution
The West Lothian question
Explain the concept of English votes for English laws
The idea proposed by conservatives that only English MPs should get to vote on matters which affect England
Proposed that English MPs are able to veto the legislation before it comes in front of MPs for a final stage
Describe the referendum in 2004 for regional assembly in the north east
78% said no
What are the arguments in favour of devolution to the region
- decision making closer to the people
- create a more balanced devolution system
- enhance democracy (more elected official)
- sense of regional identity
- catalyse regional development
Arguments against devolution to the regions
- few areas have a strong sense of regional identity
- break up England
- tension between regional and local govt
- dominated by urban not rural interests
- little public support
What are….. responsible for
Unitary councils
County councils
District councils
Metropolitan borough councils
1) full range of services
2) local services- education n transport
3) housing, leisure
4) urban areas
What is Quasi Federal
A middle group between parliamentary sovereignty and separatism - devolved powers to regions and Supreme Court etc
How are devolved governments funded
Funded by grants by the treasury
Advantages of devolution
- brings decision making closer to the people
- has occurred smoothly
- has delivered peace and power to NI after 30yrs of violence
Disadvantages of devolution
- unease in English voters seeing funding devolved govt unfair
- West Lothian question
Define devolution
The transfer of power to a lower level
Define primary legislative powers
An act of parliament given lawmaking powers
Defining nationalism
Support for one nation regardless of the consequences for other nations
Define reserved powers
A political power that the Constitution reserves
What is a unionist
A person who is in favour of the union of Northern Ireland with Great Britain
What is power-sharing devolution
Where the proportion of unionist must equal the proportion of Nationalists
What is the Good Friday agreement
Signed to help bring an end to the troubles in Northern Ireland
