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