Unit 5: Devolution

Question 1

Define devolution

Answer 1

Delegating power to a lower level, especially a central government to a regional administration

Question 2

How did devolution originate in the UK?

Answer 2

Discontent with political system during long Conservative government (79-97)

SNP and Plaid Cymru

Question 3

Name 3 powers of the Scottish Parliament

Answer 3

Income tax rates

Education

Justice and policing

Question 4

Name 3 powers of the Welsh National Assembly

Answer 4

Education

Health and social services

Transport

Question 5

Name 3 powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Answer 5

Education

Health and social services

Justice and policing

Question 6

Name 3 areas the devolved assemblies lack power

Answer 6

Foreign policy

Brexit negotiations

Defence and national security

(+ income tax for NI)

Question 7

Name 3 laws passed that furthered devolution and what they did

Answer 7

Scotland Act 2016: gave 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 power to set income tax, control over certain benefits

Wales Act 2017: Welsh assembly and local elections, 10% control of Welsh rate of income tax

Good Friday Agreement 1998: constitution amended to clarify NI, NI allowed some devolved power

Question 8

Name 3 arguments for England being devolved further

Answer 8

• More coherent and equal system of devolution
• English priorities represented as English MPs vote on English interests
• Answers West Lothian question

Question 9

Name 3 arguments against England being devolved further

Answer 9

• No widespread support: regional devolution rejected in Northeast in 2004
• May create tension between England and UK, leading to more calls for independence esp. after Brexit
• England is much bigger and further devolution would mean it dominates UK politics - has 85% of population

Question 10

Define quasi-federalism

Answer 10

When a unitary state devolves some power to a subnational government

Question 11

Define unitary

Answer 11

Multiple states run by a central government

Question 12

Name 3 reasons why the UK is quasi-federalism

Answer 12

Devolved powers

Realistically, couldn’t take back devolved powers - would result in public outrage

Only some powers devolved to subnational governments

Question 13

Name 3 reasons the UK should become entirely federal

Answer 13

Devolved bodies have been popular so far

Would clarify relationship, especially with powers transferred increasing

Would resolve West Lothian and English question

Question 14

Name 3 reasons the UK should not become entirely federal

Answer 14

Little desire for English devolution

Devolved bodies lack power currently - federalism not essential

Would be asymmetrical power to England - federalism works best where there is no dominant region

Question 15

Name 3 ways devolution has impacted the UK government

Answer 15

Reduced power of Westminster

Raises question of English devolution - EVEL

More variation across UK - COVID restrictions, prescriptions, higher education