Exam Q: Constitutional changes since 1997 - Devolution Flashcards
Decentralisation section
Labour Reforms 1997-2010:
Devolution in England
Deputy PM, Presscott suggested administrative devolution to the English Regions - rejected 78-22%.
Labour Reforms 1997-2010
Devolution in Scotland
- Before, unelected Scottish Executives administered services on behalf of the UK Govt and had no legislative powers.
- Increased urgency because of stronger nationalist sentiment compared to Wales or Northern Ireland.
Labour Reforms: 1997-2010
Scotland Act 1998
- 1997 Referendum - 74% in favour to 26% on 60% turnout.
- Implemented in 1999 upon election of the first Scottish Parliament via AMS led by the First Minister.
- Powers included: healthcare, education, public service, criminal and civil law, policing, income tax up to 3%.
Labour Reforms:
Devolution in Wales
- 1997 Referendum = 50.5% in favour and 49.5% opposed with 50% turnout.
- As only ¼ of the Welsh electorate voted for devolution, less powers was devolved than Scot.
Labour Reforms
Government of Wales Act 1998
- Established an elected Welsh National Assembly headed by a first minister.
- Administrative = could decide how to allocate funds but it has no means of raising finance, relying on annual grants.
- Main areas: Health, education, local authority services, public transport and agriculture.
- Small increase in devolved powers by Government of Wales Act 2006.
Labour Reforms
Devolution in Northern Ireland
- Different - a devolution settlement - part of wider resolution of 30 years of conflict between Republican and Loyalists.
- Controlled: education, welfare, policing, criminal and civil law and local government. But increased sectarian violence did force parliament to dissolve.
Evaluation - Did Labour’s reforms make devolution more democratic
Yes:
+ More representative by decentralising power based on the demand (most - Scot and least - Wales).
+ Helps to settle the dispute of Northern Ireland.
No:
- Asymetrical devolution (piecemeal) and offers varied services.
- Westminster parliament holds the most power - unitary
Coalitions Reform:
Devolution in Scotland
- Continued rise of Scottish nationalism there was an independence referendum in 2014 = despite voting no, the appetite remains.
- Scotland Act 2012 = financial powers means it could raise its own taxes and introduced a range of measures to strengthen the devolved administration in Scotland.
Coalition Reforms (2010-15)
Devolution in Wales
- 2014 Government = no rise of nationalist sentiment but growing demand in 2010, supported by Lib Dems in the coalition govt.
- Feared that if considerable new powers were devolved to Scotland, there would be too wide of a difference between the Welsh and Scottish Government.
Coalition Reforms (2010-15)
Government of Wales Act 2014
Referendum decided if they should have partial control over income tax.
- Granted control over various taxes, such as some income tax up to £3 billion per anumn w/o referendum approval.
- Limited powers to borrow money on open markets.
- Can invest in major projects and housing.
Evaluation - more democratic via the coalition government reforms?
Yes:
+ Both S + W gained additional powers (financial, legislative and administrative) especially because of the growing nationalist sentiment.
No:
+ Differences in amount of powers devolved is asymetrical - as Scotland is more nationalist than Wales, so gained more.
Conservative Reform (2015-present)
Devolution in England
- EVEL introduced in 2015 (removed) - set of procedures of the House of Commons whereby legislation that affected only England required the support of a majority of MPs representing English constituencies. = appears to create equality.
- More radical approach was proposing a complete devolution (separate Eng Parli) - not as well supported as it places England on the same constitutional status as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Conservative Reform (2015-present)
Devolution of Scotland
- Continued rise of nationalism, especially after the UK’s choice to leave the EU in 2016 as Scotland voted to remain.
- Scotland 2016 Act = granted further financial powers in response to the surge in nationalist feeling by the close result in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
- Concern about Scottish Devolved Powers - Westminister blocked Scotland passing legislation to make it easier to legally change one’s gender in 2023.
Evaluation: Was devolution more democratic under the Conservatives (2015-present)
Yes:
- Increased partially - momentarially addressed the issue of Scots voting in Eng/Wel issues.
- Neccessary powers transferred in Scotland, and even in Wales - gained the path for gradual increase in legislative powers.
