Devolution examples:

Question 1

Examples of power being developed unevenly for devolution? (3 examples for this one)

Answer 1

1. England left out- West Lothian question, English votes for English laws.
2. Scotland has far more powers than Wales and Northern Ireland.
3. Northern Ireland are largely restricted- have no say on taxation, economic policy, defence, relations with the republic of Ireland at all.

Question 2

Examples of uneven devolution making sense in 1997?

Answer 2

1. Wales were far less keen on devolution than Scotland. Only 25% of people voted in favour of welsh assembly. Less prominent.
2. England does not want a parliament- already represented by MP’s
3. Metro mayors- devolution and have a large impact on decisions. London mayor an clean air charges.

Question 3

Counter counter for uneven devolution making sense?

Answer 3

BUT.. WLQ UNANSWERED AND NOW CALLED WELSH PARLIAMENT

Question 4

Examples of tensions over ‘advantages’?

Answer 4

1. Free tuition fees in Scotland but not the rest of the UK.
2. Welsh free prescriptions as long as you are registered with your GP.
3. Unequal distribution of funds because of a failure in the Barnett formula.

Question 5

Examples of the ‘advantages being area tailored’

Answer 5

1. baby boxes’ in Scotland- one in five children living in ‘absolute poverty’
2. Covid responses. England lifted all restrictions in April 2022, Scotland still holding onto measures, masks indoors, LFTS 2X a week.

Question 6

Examples of continuing demands for independence?

Answer 6

1. Scottish independence - 55.3% said no means a large proportion of people still want independence. Scottish nationalists want another.
2. Sinn Fein recognised as independent. Feb 22, Sinn Fein that it was the right time (SINN FEIN X PARLIAMENT)

Extra: could cause disunity.

Question 7

Examples of devolution satisfying demands for independence?

Answer 7

1. devolution has secured a peaceful in Northern Ireland for over twenty 20 big achievement
2. Metro mayors satisfy the need for a form of devolution in England.- only 20% turnout????

Question 8

Examples for devolution undermining parliamentary sovereignty? (Westminster controlling)

Answer 8

1. Laws passed no longer apply to large parts of the country- like healthcare and education.
2. Westminster has more legitimacy because there is a higher turnout. Only 25% in welsh assembly vote.

Question 9

Examples for devolution NOT undermining parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 9

1. UK is a unitary state, power still resides with central authority. West minister gov wales act- delegates power but nothing to stop cancelling.
2. Even Scotland act could be theoretically repealed. Power is unchanged,

Could be politically difficult?? -actually promotes democracy because of increasing votes- 45 in welsh assembly recently. 85% in Scottish independence

Question 10

Examples of inequalities in citizens entitlements?

Answer 10

1. Free prescriptions
2. Free tuition fees.
3. LAW SHOULD APPLY EQUALLY TO ALL UNDER PILLARS.

Question 11

What did Boris Johnson claim devolution had been?

Answer 11

A disaster.

Question 12

Examples that there has not been a negative effect on democracy because of citizens alternative entitlement? WALES AND SCOTLAND MORE LEFT WING.

Answer 12

1. Reflects popular preferences. Tuition fees- we elect parties that want these policies.
2. 1980s- Scotland and wales under conservative did not vote for them and suffered more than those who did. Thatcher and coal mines.

Question 13

Examples that devolution is leading to the break up of UK?

Answer 13

1. Nationalism rising in non English places. SNP- power since 2011.
2. Scottish, welsh and northern Irish identity as opposed to a British one. Opinion polls for independence.

(but Scotland used to be independent- should not be force!)

Question 14

Why would the breakup of the UK be so arguably catastrophic?

Answer 14

1. Weakening Britain’s powers- nukes, army ect in Scotland,
2. -Expensive border- trade impacted.
3. -Could cause the breakup by Scotland alone not England.

Question 15

Examples of a codified constitution giving clearly defined rules?

Answer 15

1. Citizens would be more aware of what the constitutional position was and have more certainty in taking the government to court.
2. Educational value.

Question 16

Examples of a codified constitution being policed by senior judges?

Answer 16

1. Highly trained independent minded senior judges, making impartial decisions that protect people.
2. More diverse- lady hale a woman and state educated- can understand the people.

Question 17

Examples of how a codified constitution would protect liberties?

Answer 17

1. The human rights act can be repealed at any time- threats of replacing it in current conservative term.
2. Removed the right of suspected terrorists to a trial and tried to limit judicial review on this.
3. Would create a British bill of rights- setting it in stone.

Question 18

Examples of how a codified constitution could become outdated?

Answer 18

1. Would not be able to handle complex situations- e.g. Covid could have become an issue (unforseen circumstances)
2. Society is fast changing in modern age- take Americas outdated gun laws.

Question 19

Examples of how a codified constitution would give senior judges too much power?

Answer 19

1. Unelected and unaccountable because of the separation of powers. All white on the supreme court and only one woman in 00’s.
2. Could be interpreted in the wrong way where the law is ambiguous giving unelected judges more power than the government.
3. Would be wrong for judges to rule over ministers.

Question 20

Examples of how liberties are already secured by the human rights act?

Answer 20

1. Life, liberty, family etc. are strongly held up by the judiciary anyway. Challenged Blair government over detaining suspected terrorists.
2. People can take human rights complaints to the British courts- does not have to go abroad so this justice is already accessible.

Question 21

Examples of how England missed out and are resentful of that?

Answer 21

1. Free prescriptions
2. Free tuition fees.
3. LAW SHOULD APPLY EQUALLY TO ALL UNDER PILLARS.

Question 22

Examples of how an English parliament would not solve asymmetry?

Answer 22

1. Northern Ireland are largely restricted- have no say on taxation, economic policy, defence, relations with the republic of Ireland at all.
2. Scotland has a large amount of powers, more than wales.- vitally Scotland has a say on the economy.

Question 23

Examples of how devolution/ English parliament would improve democracy in England

Answer 23

////HELP

Question 24

Examples for no demand for an English parliament

Answer 24

1. When asked on opinion polls, people generally say yes. But this is very different from Scotland in 97’ who actually wanted one.
2. England houses 84% of the population so there would be no point. It would be expensive, imbalanced and unpractical.

Question 25

Examples about West Lothian question (English parliament)?

Answer 25

1. Tam Daynell- Welsh, northern Irish and Scottish MP’s have a say in English laws but England does not have a say elsewhere.
2. Link to resentment- help to pass things that will negatively effect England *

Question 26

Examples showing that the West Lothian question was solved?

Answer 26

• English votes for English laws- tax for specific areas.
• Had to be something especially relating to England
• Designed to ensure the right MP’s were deciding.
• SCRAPPED IN APRIL 2020.