UK-Devolution Flashcards
key dates
1997
- referendums held in scotland and wales ,of which both vote in favour to have devolved bodies
- are then set up in 1999
key dates
1998
Northern ireland
- good friday agreement in ireland leads to ceasefire bringing an end to the troubles - success for devolution
key dates
2011
Wales
- referendum held in wales to transfer more power to the welsh government
- won by 73%
key dates
2012
Scotland
- scottland act devolves further power to the scottish parliment
- tax raising on income tax
- can borrow up to £2 billion a year
key dates
2014
scotland + wales
- scottish independence referendum - 55% voting against
- wales act grants more powers to the welsh government eglandfill tax,bussiness rates and stamp duty
key dates
2016
scotland
- the scotland act gives the scottish government more powers
- which was promised after the referendum
- oil extraction, road signs, and to change its electoral system
key dates
2017
northern ireland
- northern ireland assembly is suspened due to a breakdown in relations between the DUP and SF (only ending in 2020)
key dates
2019
wales
- welsh government is given the power to vary income tax rates
- 2020 welsh government uses its powers to change its name to snned cymru
key dates
2022-2024
northern ireland
- northern ireland government shutdown
- elections held in 2022 with SF emerging as the largest party, DUP refused to assent to the election of a speaker as part of a protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol, which meant that the assembly could not continue other business, including the appointment of a new Executive.
- the northeren ireland protocol would’ve created an irish sea border indirectly separating northern ireland from the rest of the UK which the unionists were against
Devolved body
Scotish parliment
members , voting system , key powers , largest party
Members: 129
Voting system: Additional member system
Key powers :
- income tax
- health
- education
- justice
- transport
- environment and agriculture
First minister :
Largest party : SNP
Devolved body
Welsh parliment
members , voting system , key powers
Members: 60
Voting system: Additional member system
Key powers :
- health
- education
- justice
- transport (20mph speed limit )
- environment and agriculture
Devolved body
northern ireland assembly
members , voting system , key powers
Members: 90
Voting system:STV
Key powers :
- health
- education
- justice
- transport
- environment and agriculture
is governed by a coalition with 2 first ministers
devolved body
england
key laws :
* ‘english votes for english laws’
* greater london authority act 1999
structure and members:
- 36 met boroughs
- 25 city councils
- mayors
key powers of local government:
Give 2 main positives of devolution:
Autonomy- brings decisions closer to the people and reflects differences between nations of the UK; peace- power sharing in Northern Ireland (although since fallen through)
Give 2 main negatives of devolution:
EVEL- belief that there should be an English parliament due to the West Lothian question as MPs from the devolved regions vote on English only laws; separatism- policy divergence undermines union + support for independence has increased
Explain and analyse three benefits of devolution
intro: devolution- delegation and sharing of power with smaller government bodies away from westminster
1-Strengthens unity of the UK. Believed devolution is a key reason for the result of the 2014 independence referendum 55% voting to remain apart of the UK
2-Policy can be made in tune with local views. Income tax and tuition fees in scotland with help from devolved parties eg SNP and Plaid cymru
3-Reduces centralisation of power in westminster. and has encouraged innovation in policy making, certain pilicies can be tested by the devolved bodies before they are extended eg the smoking ban began in scotland in 2006
Explain and analyse the powers of three devolved states
**intro: ** devolution- delegation and sharing of power with smaller government bodies away from westminster
1-Wales: transport, 20mph speed limits,
1998 Wales act
2-Scotland: education tuition fees, income tax, 1998 Scotland act
3-N.Ireland: Agriculture, justice has its own police force ect. 1998 northern ireland Act
Explain and analyse three ways that devolution has impacted the uk government
**intro: ** devolution- delegation and sharing of power with smaller government bodies away from westminster
1- Increase in regional parties. SNP became third largest party in the commons in the 2019 election. eg used opposition day in parliment 2024
2- Greater use of different voting systems.
STV in northern ireland. Independence referendum 16 year old votes in scotland.
3- Laws. Some regional laws are inherited by parliament.Indoor Smoking ban introduced by scotland 2006.
