Devolution

Question 1

Definition of devolution

Answer 1

The transfer of policy-making powers from the centre to subordinate sub-national institutions

Question 2

When did UK nationalism (Scottish / Welsh) start to grow?

Answer 2

1970’s

Question 3

Scotland Act 1998

Answer 3

Gave the Scottish Parliament primary legislative powers and tax-varying powers
Established limits on Scottish Parliament’s legislative powers through reserved powers

Question 4

Scotland Act 2016

Answer 4

Entrenched powers of Scottish parliament, referendum required to abolish it
Income tax
Welfare benefits
Local elections

Question 5

Government of Wales Act 2006

Answer 5

Enabled the Welsh Assembly to hold referendum which gave it primary legislative powers

Question 6

The Wales Act 2017

Answer 6

Income tax
Local elections
Established the Welsh Assembly and government as a permanent feature of the UK constitution

Question 7

Support for independence

Answer 7

Scotland - 45%

Wales - 10%

Question 8

Good Friday Agreement 1998

Answer 8

Established power-sharing devolution

Question 9

Pro English parliament

Answer 9

Would complete devolution, solving the West Lothian question

Would give political and institutional expression to English identity and interests.

Question 10

Anti English parliament

Answer 10

Would create an additional layer of government, potentially causing tensions between UK government and English parliament
Limited support for it in England
Would not create a coherent and equitable system as England is much bigger than the other nations of the Union.

Question 11

Example of Scottish MPs’ votes affecting English law

Answer 11

2003-4
Legislation on foundation hospitals and university tuition fees in England would not have passed without the votes of Labour MPs from Scotland.
These MPs argued that the bills included clauses relating to Scotland and that changes to public spending in England would affect spending in Scotland

Question 12

Methods of potential English devolution

Answer 12

An English Parliament
EVEL
Elected regional assemblies

Question 13

Pro elected regional assemblies

Answer 13

Would bring decision making closer to the people and address the differing interests of the English regions
Would create a more balanced devolution settlement as England is too large to have its own parliament
Would enhance democracy as regional assemblies would replace unelected quangos
Develop regional identities

Question 14

Anti elected regional assemblies

Answer 14

Few areas of England have a strong sense of regional identity
Would break England up
Create tensions between regional and local government
Would be dominated by urban interests over rural ones
Little public support for it

Question 15

Impact of devolution on UK politics

Answer 15

Created a quasi-federal UK
Permitted policy divergence
Allowed funding discrepancy between the Union - Barnett formula
Reduced sense of Britishness

Question 16

Features of quasi federalism

Answer 16

Limited parliamentary sovereignty
Quasi-federal parliament
Joint Ministerial Committee
Supreme Court

Question 17

Pro UK should become a federal state

Answer 17

Would provide a coherent constitutional settlement for the UK and its nations, establishing a clearer relationship between the UK government and the governments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Would resolve some of the anomalies that have arisen under the current ad hoc approach to devolution (eg. West Lothian Question)
Would clarify the statues of the Westminster Parliament, with it becoming a federal parliament

Question 18

Anti UK should become a federal state

Answer 18

Federalism works best in states without a dominant nation / region
An English parliament would rival Westminster if different parties were in power
Little public support for it