UK devolution Flashcards
What is asymmetry
a lack of balance used to refer to the way the system of devolution only applies to parts of the uk
what is the west lothian question
following devolution mps from devolved regions still have the right to vote on matters that only relate to england, by contrast mps from english constituencies cannot vote on issues devolved to regions
What is devolution
Delegation of some gov powers known as devolved powers which have their own elected assembly/parliaments that make laws themselves
Certain policy matters such as trade, defences and foreign policy.These are reserved powers
What is the scottish parliament and government
The legislative body and executive established in Scotland following the 1997 referendum, now elected on a 5-yearly basis with elections due in 2021 and 2026
What is the welsh gov (senned cymru)
The legislative body and executive established in Wales following the 1997 referendum, now elected on a 5-yearly basis with elections due in 2021 and 2026.
What is the northern ireland assembly and executive
The legislative body and executive established following the 1998 referendum, now elected on a 5-yearly basis with elections formally due next in 2027.
What is quasi federal
A set-up where despite having two clear sets of government – central and the states, more powers are given to the Central Government
What is EVEL
(ENGLISH VOTES FOR ENGLISH LAWS)
The EVEL process operated in the House of Commons from 2015 until its suspension in 2020. The standing orders relating to EVEL procedures were rescinded following a decision of the House on 13 July 2021.
While in use, EVEL was designed to ensure that legislation that affected only England…
What are arguements for (should england have its own parliament?) (YES)
• Would complete devolution and strengthen English identity.
• Could help resolve the “West Lothian Question” (issues of MPs from other UK nations voting on England-only matters).
• More power would be decentralized away from London.
• Other devolved governments in the UK (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) have worked well
What are arguements against that england should have its own parliament (NO)
• England’s size and dominance make it different from other UK nations, so devolution may not work the same way.
• England lacks a strong national identity compared to Scotland or Wales.
• English politics are more regionally diverse, making a single parliament impractical.
• Could be expensive and complicate the role of Westminster.
• No strong public demand for an English parliament.
What is the impact of devolution - POLICY VARIATION COVID-19
At the end of May 2020, the guidelines/regulations diverged somewhat between the regions, as seen in the table below, reflecting the “loosening” of the first pandemic lockdown variations of lockdown measures across the UK at the end of May 2020
Arguements for regional assemblys
-regional assemblies would enable decision making to be brought much closer to voters and reduce dominance in london
-it would allow an alternate electoral system to be used and therefore solve the electoral reform issue
-English parliament would resolve the west lothian question issue
Arguements against regional assemblies
-Eng parliament would raise issue on what westminster role and purpose would be which would lead to more conflict between uk and english prime ministers
-England lacks national identity of scotland,wales and northern ireland
-no wide spread support for this (referendum in 2004 where it was rejected (78% to 22%)
Has devolution worked well in the uk? (YES)
-It has allowed regional political differences to be recognised (For example Scottish parliament is more left leaning so they have increased the income tax rate for highest earners to 46 p in the pound for those earning over 150k compared to the 45p in the rest of the uk)
-vital to enabling the peace process in northern ireland (peace dividend) and enabling cross community cooperation
-encouraged innovation in policy making to function as ‘legislative laboratories’. Administration can learn from policies launched somewhere else and then replicate them if effective (for example 2006 decision to ban smoking in smoking places from scotland was extended to wales,NI and eng)
Has devolution worked well in uk (NO)
-lead to inequalities in the provision and cost of public services (for example uni tuitions is free in scotland but costs over 9k in eng. prescriptions are free in in wales and scotland but not in eng) therefore creating unfairness
-SNP has called for second independence referendum suggesting devolution had not muted demands by many for full independence its position as the dominant party suggest the scots want to go further than devolved gov
-Policy ideas (eg banning smoking in public areas) wouldve happened anyhow via westminster
Key devolution legislation for scotland
Scotland act 1998: gave scottish primary legistative powers over law and order,health,education and transport
Scotland act 2012: It introduced a Scottish rate of income tax from 2016, devolved landfill tax and stamp duty, and allowed borrowing up to £2.2 billion for capital projects. Also ability to raise or lower tax by up 10p in the pound
Scotland act 2016: authority over areas such as equal opputunity,abortion law,speed limits and gaming machines
Name 2-3 key devolution legislation for wales
-Gov of wales act 1998: set up welsh assembly which lacked primary legislation powers but had secondary legislation in specific areas
-Gov of wales act 2006: enabled the assembly to request further powers from westminster to gain primary legislative powers if approved by referendum & set up proper executive boy welsh assembly gov
-wales act 2014: represented first major tax raising powers to welsh gov
