Devolution in England Flashcards
What is the ‘English Question’ about?
How England should be governed
What underpins the ‘English Question’?
The idea that the values and interests of England are not recognised in post-devolution UK
What are the 4 potential solutions to the ‘English Question’?
- An English parliament
- EVEL
- Regional government
- Local government
Why has it been difficult to come up with a solution to the ‘English Question’?
- The proposed solutions would raise further problems
- Neither of the solutions have widespread cross party support in parliament or amongst voters
What are English votes for English laws?
Special commons procedures for legislation that only effects England
Who favours an English parliament?
Some conservatives
How would an English parliament function?
It would have legislative powers over domestic English issues, with an English government being created to implement policy
Why is an English parliament unlikely to happen?
There is little support for it amongst the major parties
List the arguements in favour of an English parliament
- It would end the English Question by completing devolution and eliminating asymmetry
- It would clarify the mixture of Westminster as being a federal body, rather than a hybrid
- It would give political and institutional expression to English identity and interests
List the arguements against an English parliament
- It would not create a coherent and equitable system because England is much bigger than the other devolved regions
- It would weaken Westminster and lead to tensions between Westminster and English parliament
- There is limited support in England for an English parliament
What is the West Lothian Question?
Why should Scottish MPs be able to vote on English matters at Westminster when English MPs cannot vote on Scottish issues at Holyrood
On what two occasions did the West Lothian Question come into action in 2003-04?
When legislation on foundation hospitals and university tuition fees in England would not have passed without the votes of Scottish Labour MPs. The MPs argued that changes to public spending on England would lead to changes to spending in Scotland
Who primarily promoted EVEL following devolution?
Conservative MPs representing English constituencies
How did EVEL work?
Bills certified as England only by the speaker would be assigned to the legislative grand committee where MPs representing English constituencies could veto them
Why was EVEL largely ineffective?
EVEL legislation still needed majority support in the commons, meaning MPs from devolved regions could vote on and potentially block it at the third reading. It was applied for 51 bills but the veto was never applied and none of the outcomes changed
When did EVEL come to a stop?
It was suspended during lockdown and scrapped in 2021
What did the Blair governments plan to do to solve the English Question?
Created directly elected regional assemblies with limited executive functions in the 8 English regions outside London
Why did New Labour drop their plans for regional government?
When 78% of voters voted no about proposals over creating a North East assembly in 2004
List the arguements in favour of devolution to the English regions
- Bring decision making closer to the people will address the differing interests of the English regions
- Creates a more balanced devolution because England is too big to have a parliament of its own
- Would enhance democracy as regional government would take over the position of unelected quangos
- Areas such as Yorkshire, Cornwall and the North East have a strong sense of identity
- Regional assemblies could act as a catalyst for economic and cultural regeneration
List the arguements against devolution to the English regions
- Few areas of England have a strong sense of regional identity
- It would break up England and therefore fail to represent English interests and identity
- Tensions between regional and local government
- There is little public support for it in England
The conservative governments introduced executive devolution. What does this mean?
Some functions were devolved to combined authorities/city regions. They have limited policy making powers on areas like transport and economic development but cannot make law
What is the only elected branch of government in England aside from Westminster?
Local authorities
How many unitary authorities are there?
58
How many county councils are there?
24
How many district councils are there?
188
How many metropolitan borough councils are there?
36
What are unitary authorities responsible for?
For a full range of local services
What are county councils responsible for?
For some local services, like education, policing and transport, in the shires
What are district councils responsible for?
For some local services, like housing, leisure and refuse collection, in the shires
What are metropolitan borough councils responsible for?
A full range of local services in urban areas
What does the Greater London Authority have responsibility for?
- Economic development
- Transport
- Policing
- Planning
Who does the Greater London Authority consist of?
A directly elected mayor and 25 man London Assembly
What does the London Mayor do?
Sets the budget and determines policy for the authority
How many elected mayors have directly elected mayors aside from London as of 2021?
15, which is surprisingly low considering encouragement from Westminster
What do local authorities do rather than providing services directly?
Organise, regulate and fund their provision by bodies such as housing associations, health trusts, academy schools and private businesses
Where do local authorities receive most of their funding?
Grants from Westminster
What is the main way local authorities can raise their own revenue?
Through a tax on domestic properties called council tax
List some of the services local authorities are responsible for?
- Education
- Social services
- Housing
- Roads
- Leisure services
Why is England seen as too big to have a parliament of its own?
It holds 84% of the UK’s population and 95% of its GDP
Why do traditionalists oppose the idea of an English parliament?
They believe Westminster is already an English parliament and any further devolution to England would precipitate the break up of the union
Who was the key New Labour figure floating devolution to the English regions when it was being given to Scotland, Wales and NI?
The deputy PM John Prescott
How did the coalition offer cabinet government to local authorities?
Involved creating a central cabinet of leading councillors from the dominant party, which would take over the key role in the work of the council
Why was the coalition keen to devolve more power to England?
Because it involved the Lib Dems, who were keen on constitutional reform
What are the three main flaws with local authorities?
- Lack of autonomy from Westminster
- Lack of accountability to the local electorate
- Low levels of public interest, largely as a result of the first two issues
How was policing in England and Wales devolved to local figures?
Through the creation of elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs)
Why have PCCs been largely irrelevant?
Turnout at commissioner elections has been low and few people are aware of who their local police commissioner is
Why did Thatcher abolish the Greater London Council in 1985?
She wanted to remove a power that she saw as a socialist enclave in the centre of conservative Britain
What had mayors been before the directly elected model?
Holders of a ceremonial position with no executive power
When was the referendum which gave approval to an elected London Mayor held?
2000
How can the Greater London assembly veto the mayor’s proposals?
With a 2/3 majority
Why is there no possibility that a single party will dominate the Greater London Assembly?
Because it uses AMS so the mayor will always face obstruction for controversial measures
List the arguements in favour of cities being granted more independent powers
- Local democracy is closer to the people and so can more accurately reflect their demands
- Different areas have different needs so a one size fits all imposition from central government is impractical
- The UK is too London centred so extended these powers may boost local economies and lead to a more even spread of wealth and economic growth
- Demonstrating that local councils and mayors have significant powers will boost local democracy `
List the arguements against cities being granted more independent powers
- Central control means that all areas will receive public services of an equal quality
- Central control will prevent reckless overspending by local authorities
- Turnout at local councils and mayoral elections are usually low, meaning they cannot be effectively held to account
- There is a danger that the union could be jeopardised
