EVTV devolution has been a success Flashcards
- yes impact of dev on democracy
Greater Democracy & Local Representation: Devolved bodies can respond better to local concerns.
Scotland’s Left-Wing Policies: SNP government introduced free prescriptions, tuition fees, and higher taxes due to powers from Scotland Acts (1998 & 2016).
COVID-19 Response: Different UK nations adapted restrictions independently.
London’s Policy Impact: Sadiq Khan introduced free school meals for all primary students in 2023, unlike the rest of England.
Proportional Electoral Systems: More representative parliaments in Scotland, Wales (AMS) & Northern Ireland (STV).
Popular Mayors: Sadiq Khan & Andy Burnham reelected in May 2024, showing strong public support. Burnham praised for homelessness action & transport improvements.
1.against- impact of dev on sov
Inequality Among UK Citizens: Different policies in devolved nations lead to unequal access to healthcare, education, and laws.
Undermining Redistribution: Fiscal devolution weakens wealth redistribution from richer to poorer areas, making inequality harder to tackle.
Low Election Turnout: Devolved elections have low participation, weakening legitimacy (e.g., 2021 Senedd – 46.6%, 2024 Manchester mayoral – 32%).
UK Government Ignoring Devolved Powers: The Sewel Convention is sometimes flouted (e.g., Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 passed despite Scottish & Welsh opposition).
Threat to Parliamentary Sovereignty: Devolution transfers power away from Westminster, arguably weakening British democracy.
- against- impact of dev on unity of uk
Asymmetric Devolution Undermines Equal Citizenship: Different powers and policies create inconsistencies in representation, laws, and public services across the UK.
Threat to UK Unity: Different governance structures reduce commonality among UK citizens (e.g., Scotland & NI control policing, but England & Wales do not).
Barnett Formula Creates Resentment: Unequal funding per head benefits devolved nations at England’s expense.
Rise in Nationalism & Independence Movements:
Scotland: SNP in power since 2007, independence support growing.
Wales: Support for independence rising post-devolution.
Northern Ireland: Sinn Féin became the largest party in 2022.
Poor UK Government Relations with Devolved Leaders:
Boris Johnson: Clashed with Sturgeon & Drakeford over COVID policies.
Andy Burnham (Manchester Mayor): Criticised Sunak for HS2 cancellation, calling it a betrayal of the North.
Rishi Sunak (2023): Used Section 35 Order to block Scotland’s Gender Reform Bill, escalating tensions with the SNP.
- for- unity
Prevented UK Breakup: Devolution was designed to keep the UK together, and no nation has yet gained independence.
Stabilised Northern Ireland: Helped maintain peace after the Troubles by providing a framework for governance.
Independence Support Due to Conservative Governments: Rising nationalism is more linked to Tory unpopularity than devolution itself.
Labour’s Pro-Devolution Approach:
Starmer’s Early Actions (2024): Visited Scotland, Wales & NI immediately, met with England’s mayors within five days.
Labour’s Manifesto Commitments:
New Council of Nations & Regions to improve cooperation.
New Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reduce UK government overriding devolved bodies.
3.for- governance
Improved Governance in Some Areas:
Transport:
Scotland: Nationalised ScotRail (2022), subsidised fares (e.g., Glasgow–Edinburgh return ~£10 vs. 3x in England).
Greater Manchester: Andy Burnham introduced £2 bus fare cap & ‘Bee Network’ for walking/cycling.
Policy Innovation Benefits the Whole UK: Successful devolved policies (e.g., Scotland’s smoking ban) influence national policy.
Stable Governance Despite Proportional Systems: Scotland & Wales have had mainly coalition/minority governments, but they’ve been stable with popular leaders (e.g., Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford).
3.against- governance
Improved Governance in Some Areas:
Transport:
Scotland: Nationalised ScotRail (2022), subsidised fares (e.g., Glasgow–Edinburgh return ~£10 vs. 3x in England).
Greater Manchester: Andy Burnham introduced £2 bus fare cap & ‘Bee Network’ for walking/cycling.
Policy Innovation Benefits the Whole UK: Successful devolved policies (e.g., Scotland’s smoking ban) influence national policy.
Stable Governance Despite Proportional Systems: Scotland & Wales have had mainly coalition/minority governments, but they’ve been stable with popular leaders (e.g., Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford).
- against- governance
Limited ‘Devolution Dividend’: Devolved governments haven’t consistently improved public services.
NHS Performance:
Scotland & NI: 2x more likely to be on a year-plus NHS waiting list than in England.
Wales: Worst performance, with 1 in 20 waiting over a year.
Education: Scotland & Wales have fallen behind England in PISA rankings.
SNP Criticism: Accused of prioritising independence over governance & rocked by a financial scandal (Peter Murrell’s 2023 arrest).
Northern Ireland’s Unstable Governance:
Frequent Stormont Suspensions: Often results in direct Westminster rule.
2022–2024 Suspension: DUP refused to govern over the Northern Ireland Protocol, causing a 2-year deadlock.
Structural Issue: NI’s power-sharing system frequently leads to government breakdowns.
key examples
what did Scotland act 1998 and 2016 do
what did Sadiq khan do in 2023
what has burn ham been praised for
2021 senned TO and 2024 mayoral election
what is the sewel convention and what is an example of it
what did burnham cricise sunak for
what section did sunak use to block Scotland gender reform bil
Labour’s Pro-Devolution Approach:2024
Labour’s Manifesto Commitments:
- free prescriptions, tuition fees, and higher taxes
- free school meals for primary schoolers
- public transport andhomelesnes action
- 46% and 32%
- west miner should legislate on devolved matters (e.g., Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 passed despite Scottish & Welsh opposition). and Scott gender reform bill blocked
- HS2 cancellation betrayal of the north
- section 35 gender reform bill Scott
8.Starmer’s Early Actions (2024): Visited Scotland, Wales & NI immediately, met with England’s mayors within five days.
9.New Council of Nations & Regions to improve cooperation.
New Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reduce UK government overriding devolved bodies.
sections
1.impact of dev on democracy
2.impact of dev on unity of uk
3.impact of Fev on governance
LOA
relative success but failure in NI
