Governance of Scotland Essay

Question 1

What are the factors for governance of Scotland.

Answer 1

1. Self- determination
2. Control of defence policy
3. Control of economic policy
4. Devo-max

Question 2

What is background information for governance of Scotland.

Answer 2

• In 1999 the Scottish Parliament became responsible for laws on devolved matters
• In 2014 there was an independence referendum where 55% voted No and 45% voted Yes, and since then there has been desire for another

Question 3

What is your knowledge for self- determination.

Answer 3

• Scotland would be able to determine their own future
• They would regain power from the UK and be able to rejoin the EU as majority of Scots voted to Remain

Question 4

What are examples for self- determination.

Answer 4

• The Conservatives were in government for 31 of the past 45 years despite never winning in Scotland

Question 5

What is your analysis for self- determination.

Answer 5

• Scotland would no longer be at England’s mercy during elections
• Bills would no longer be blocked by the UK Govt and therefore Scotland would not be prevented from passing their own bills
• Some would argue that rejoining the EU would be handing back powers that we had just gained from the UK

Question 6

What is your evaluation for self- determination.

Question 7

What is your knowledge for control of defence policy.

Answer 7

• Scotland would be able to remove Trident from their waters and this would most likely force it overseas
• Upon reapplying to NATO the USA may veto Scotland due to their refusal to have nuclear weapons

Question 8

What is your analysis for control of defence policy.

Answer 8

• Nuclear weapons are argued to be immoral, dangerous and militarily unnecessary while others see not having them as a security threat
• The money used for Trident could be spent elsewhere but consequently 11,000 jobs would be lost
• Without NATO Scotland would be left unprotected and may be forced to make a deal of keeping Trident in exchange for less of the UK’s debt

Question 9

What is your evaluation for control of defence policy.

Question 10

What is your knowledge for control of economic policy.

Answer 10

• Scotland could introduce more progressive policies to reduce poverty and inequality
• Scotland would then be able to control tax and revenues such as corporation tax, inheritance tax, and VAT
• Scotland would also have control of their budget instead of the block grant which is set by the UK and in recent years has been cut

Question 11

What is your analysis for control of economic policy.

Answer 11

• Scotland have already used devolved powers to chance tax bands so that lower incomes are paying less and higher incomes more
• Scotland have strength as part of the UK and would struggle without them as they would need to found their own budget

Question 12

What is your evaluation for control of economic policy.

Question 13

What is your knowledge for devo-max.

Answer 13

• This is devolution for all policies but defence and foreign
• Scotland would be able to control drug policy and so address the drug deaths in the country which are currently the highest in Europe
• Scotland would also be able to control welfare and immigration policy which would allow them to abolish controversial welfare policies and adopt a more open immigration policy

Question 14

What is your analysis for devo-max.

Answer 14

• This would provide Scotland with the best of both worlds
• Scotland would be able to lift clamps on benefits and fill job shortages with immigration and so benefit the Scottish economy and society
• Scotland would not be able to scrap Trident or rejoin the EU with devo-max which is a reason many Scot’s want independence

Question 15

What is your evaluation for devo-max.