Devolution (UK)

Question 1

What is devolution?

Answer 1

The delegation of some powers away from parliament to regions with their own elected parlaiments that make laws themselves.

Policy matters such as trade, defence and foreign policy are retained by westminster.

Question 2

What voting system do Scotland and Wales use?

Answer 2

AMS

Question 3

What voting system does Northern Ireland use?

Answer 3

STV

Question 4

How many people initially voted for devolution for Wales?

Answer 4

50.3%

Question 5

What key pieces of legislation enhanced devolution in Scotland?

Answer 5

• Scotland Act 1998.
• Scotland Act 2012.
• Scotland Act 2016.

Question 6

Scotland Act 1998:

Answer 6

Comes after the 1997 referendum.

Gives Scotland legislative powers in domestic areas.

The Scottish parliament could also raise income tax by 3p to the pound.

Question 7

Scotland Act 2012:

Answer 7

Transferred tax raising powers to the Scottish parliament.

Raise/ lower income tax by 10p in the pound.

Stamp duty and landfill taxes transferred to Scotland.

Allowed the Scottish government to borrow up to £5 billion.

Question 8

Scotland Act 2016:

Answer 8

Gave Holyrood the power over legislation including equal opportunity, abortion and speed limits.

Allowed Scotland to set income tax across bands.

Scotland could make its own laws on who votes in Scottish elections.

The extension of powers was a promise of the no side of the 2014 Scottish independence campaign.

Question 9

How many pieces of legislation has the Scottish parliament passed?

Answer 9

Over 300.

Question 10

Edinburgh Agreement 2012:

Answer 10

Allowed Scotland to stipulate the voting age for the referendum.
(17 year olds could vote).

Question 11

What key pieces of legislation have enhanced devolution in Wales?

Answer 11

Government of Wales Act 1998.
Government of Wales Act 2006.
2011 Referendum.
Wales Act 2014.
Wales Act 2017.

Question 12

Government of Wales Act 1998:

Answer 12

Sets up the Welsh Assembly.

Did not give the assembly primary legislative powers but it could devise secondary legislation in areas including agriculture, fisheries, education and housing.

Question 13

Government of Wales Act 2006:

Answer 13

Enabled the assembly to request further powers from Westminster and gain primary legislative powers if approved by a referendum.

Question 14

2011 Referendum:

Answer 14

Following approvals in a referendum, the Assembly gained the power to enact primary legislation in 20 policy areas.

64% voted yes, showing that support for the Welsh government had grown since 1997.

Question 15

Wales Act 2014:

Answer 15

First major transfer of tax raising powers to the Welsh Assembly.
(Stamp duty, business rates and landfill taxes.)

Question 16

Wales Act 2017:

Answer 16

Gave the Welsh government greater legislative powers and gave it control over its own electoral system and policy areas such as road signs, rail franchising and energy efficiency.

Could vary income tax by 10p to the pound.

Put Welsh devolution on the same footing as Scotland.

Question 17

Senned and Election Act 2020:

Answer 17

Formally changes its name to the Senned Cymru.

Gave 16 and 17 year olds the rights to vote in Welsh parliamentary and local elections.

Question 18

Example of wales passing legislation that was later adopted in England:

Answer 18

Wales passed an ‘opt out system’ for organ donation in 2015 - it was adopted in England in 2020.

Question 19

What was ‘The Troubles’ in Ireland?

Answer 19

A period of sectarian violence in Ireland between unionists and nationalists.

The troubles began in 1969.

The Northern Ireland parliament ‘Stormont’ was dominated by unionists who were seen to be discriminating against the nationalist minority.

Question 20

When was Stormont suspended?

Answer 20

In 1972 and abolished in 1973.

British troops had a large peace keeping presence in Northern Ireland.

Question 21

What was the Good Friday Agreement (1998):

Answer 21

Promised the return of devolved powers to Northern Ireland.

Prisoners released for convicted paramilitary terrorism.

Reductions in the numbers of British troops stationed in Northern Ireland.

Question 22

What was the result of the 1998 referendum in Northern Ireland?

Answer 22

Northern Ireland voted 71%-29% for the creation of a Northern Ireland assembly and executive

Question 23

When has the Northern Ireland assembly been suspended in recent times?

Answer 23

2017 - 2020.

Collapse in the power sharing agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein,

Question 24

What legislation was passed by Westminster during the suspension of Stormont (2017-2020)?

Answer 24

Extended same sex-marriage and legalised abortion.

Question 25

How is devolution in Ireland different to that in Scotland and Wales?

Answer 25

- The party system is completely different - comprises of parties from both communities (DUP and Ulster Unionists v Sinn Fein). - N.I has power sharing embedded in its systems meaning that the executive must contain members from each community. - Since 1997 Northern Ireland has not really had its devolved powers enhanced.

Question 26

How did the M4 relief road bring to question the extent of devolution?

Answer 26

2020, Johnson decides to build a relief road for the M4 in a section of Newport, Wales in order to relieve congestion. The welsh government did not approve, stating that transport was a purely devolved issue.

Question 27

Argument that devolution has worked well in the UK:

Answer 27

It has allowed for regional political differences to be recognised. (Eg Scotland is traditionally more left leaning). It has strengthened the union between regions. Popular with voters seen in the 1997 and 2011 referendums in Wales. Enabled the peace process in N.Ireland. Allowed for different electoral systems to be used. Devolved assemblies act as legislative laboratories - 2006, Scottish governments decision to ban smoking indoors extended to Wales, N.Ireland and England.

Question 28

Argument that devolution has NOT worked well in the UK:

Answer 28

- It has led to inequality in the cost of public services (no uni tuition fees in Scotland, prescriptions are free in Wales and Scotland, but not in England). - Encouraged demands for greater separation - Scottish referendum in 2014 where 55% voted for independence. - SNP continues to push for a second referendum. - Cross party working in Northern Ireland is problematic - it often leads to gridlock.

Question 29

Examples of existing devolution in England:

Answer 29

- 57 unitary councils. ( responsible for the full range of local services e.g Portsmouth). - 36 metropolitan boroughs. - 32 London Boroughs.

Question 30

Local Government Act 2000:

Answer 30

Allowed any local council in England to hold a referendum on the introduction of a directly elected mayor. (In 2020 there were 15 elected mayors).

Question 31

Evidence of directly elected mayors being met with little enthusiasm:

Answer 31

2002, 2005 and 2009, the Hartlepool Town Mascot ran for mayor.

Question 32

What are the arguments for an English Parliament?

Answer 32

- It would provide parity with the rest of the UK. - Provide an answer to the West Lothian Question. - Reduce the dominance of London over English politics. - Devolution has worked well for the rest of the UK.

Question 33

What is the West Lothian Question?

Answer 33

MPs from the devolved regions still have the right to vote on English matters, however English MPs can't vote on devolved issues. 2015, David Cameron withdrew an attempt to relax the fox-hunting ban after the SNP said it would vote against it.

Question 34

Arguments against an English Parliament:

Answer 34

- An english parliament would dominate a federal UK - 85% of the population and generates th bulk of GDP. - England lacks a cohesive cultural identity. - Argument over its location. - It would weaken the union. - Lacks of popular support - attempt to introduce a North East assembly rejected in a 2004 referendum 78% to 22%.

Question 35

How has devolution changed the British Constitution?

Answer 35

Changed the unitary framework to a 'quasi-federal' one. Arguably remains unitary because of parliamentary sovereignty.