Welsh Devolution

Question 1

Less Demand For Independence & More Devolution

Answer 1

absorbed in the English state in medieval times so it didn’t develop a distinct legal system.
Senedd Cymru Bill
- better representation for people
- make law and can scrutinise

Question 2

1997 Welsh Devolution Referendum

Answer 2

50.3% of the electorate voted for a National assembly for Wales
50.2% turnout

Question 3

The Gov Of Wales Act 1998

Answer 3

Gave secondary legislative powers to the assembly
devolved powers

Question 4

2011 Referendum

Answer 4

Low turnout : 35.4% but in favour of Wales being given the power to enact primary legislation in all areas where power had been devolved to it e.g education and health

Question 5

The Gov Of Wales Act 2014

Answer 5

More power devolved to Wales
- control of a number of taxes
- stamp duty
- land tax and landfill tax
Changed Welsh Assembly gov to Welsh gov

Question 6

The Gov of Wales Act 2017

Answer 6

vary income tax by up to 10p in the pound
gave the Welsh Assembly new primary legislative powers
- over electoral arrangements, transport and energy.
Welsh gov - permanent feature of the UK constitution
- can’t be abolished by an act of Par
- needs a referendum with the people

Question 7

The Senedd & Elections act 2020

Answer 7

16 & 17 year olds have the right to vote, beginning with the 2021 Senedd election

Question 8

Positive impacts of devolution

Answer 8

Wales more Lab voting than England, so Lab govs introduced more left-wing legislation
- free prescriptions 2007
Wales the 1st part of the UK to introduce a single-use plastic bag charge in 2011
1st country in the world to declare a ‘climate emergency’

Question 9

Negatives/issues left unresolved

Answer 9

No notable growth in support for an independent Wales
Lab more resilient in Wales then Scotland so Plaid Cymru hasn’t achieved a breakthrough in either Westminster Par or the Senedd
Devolution in W & S unitary nature of the UK constitution slowly replaced with a federal structure
- central gov sovereignty is restricted by the permanent transfer of powers to 2 constituent parts of the UK

Question 10

2021 Senedd Election Results

Answer 10

46.6% turnout
60 seat total
Lab - 39.9% - 30 seats
Con - 26.1% - 16 seats
Plaid Cymru - 20.7% - 13 seats