1
Q
how is devolution asymmetrical?
A
- each of devolved institution different powers + distinctive features
- scotland most powerful - law-making in devolved matters + tax raising powers
- welsh assembly - initially only executive powers - determining how WM legislation implemented in wales but after 2011 primary legislative authority over devolved matters + tax raising powers after 2017
- northern ireland assembly - primary legislative powers but limited powers over tax
2
Q
what is key devolution legislation for scotland?
A
three successive acts of parliament
- scotland act 1998: gave scottish parliament primary legislative powers in number of domestic areas (law+order, health, education, transport, environment) can also vary rate of income tax up to 3p in p
- scotland act 2012: tax-raising powers to SP - raise/lower income tax up to 10p in poind (SRIT) from 2016 onwards + developed stamp duty+landfill taxes allowing scotland borrow up to 5bill + set up own tax authority
- scotland act 2016: trans of power including authority over: equal opportunities, abortion law, speed limits, gaming machines and allowing to create income tax across any number bands and make own laws who can vote SP subject 2/3
3
Q
which act has limits to it?
A
- 1998
- ‘reserved powers’ sole responsibility of WM
- UK const
- defence + nat security
- foreign policy
- nuclear energy
- immigration
etcc - stated that WM remains sovereign in all matters but chosen to exercise it by devolving legislative authority without affecting own powers
- has right to override SP in policy areas + abolish dev institutions
4
Q
what does the scotland act 2016 state when it comes to WM?
A
- WM will not legislate on devolved matters without consent
- scottish parliament + govt are ‘permanent part of UK’s const agreements’
- scot parliament + govt cannot be abolished unless approved in a ref in scotland
5
Q
what were the different campaigns/views towards scottish devolution
A
- yes scotland campaign fronted by SNP - vision was for independent scotland with ‘personal union’ with UK- but scotland own written const + full responsibility for welfare, foreign + defence policy
- pro-union, better together - supported by labour, tories and libdems argued for extensive dev + economic, cultural, political benefits of union
- argued independence would damage scotland’s economy
- UK treasury insisted no currency union with an independent scotland
- EC warned an independent scotland would not automatically become part of EU
6
Q
when and how did the scottish independence referendum happen? what did it do?
A
- 2014
- although constitution reserved power, WM granted scot parliament temporary powers to hold indep ref
- asked if scotland should be indep
- 55% no but 45% yes
- turnout high 85%
7
Q
what was the scotland act 2016 stating in terms of powers?
A
- new powers devolved by the act include:
- to set income tax + bands
- some additional taxes + duties
- right to receive 50% of the VAT raised in scot
- control over certain welfare benefits
- road signs, speed limits etc
- the franchise for scot elections
8
Q
what are three key devolution legislation for wales
A
- government of wales act 1998: set up welsh assembly lacking primary legislative powers but can devise secondary leg in some areas (agriculture, fisheries, education) broadly equiv SofS for wales
- government of wales act 2006: enabled assembly to request further powers from WM + get PLP if approved in referendum + set up proper executive body (welsh assembly governemnt)
- 2011 referendum approval of q wanting assembly to be able to make laws on all matters in 20 subject areas it has powers for + welsh assembly gained pwer for PL (incl:health, transport,agriculture) yes vote of 64%
9
Q
what are three key devolution legislation for wales
A
- government of wales act 1998: set up welsh assembly lacking primary legislative powers but can devise secondary leg in some areas (agriculture, fisheries, education) broadly equiv SofS for wales
- government of wales act 2006: enabled assembly to request further powers from WM + get PLP if approved in referendum + set up proper executive body (welsh assembly governemnt)
- 2011 referendum approval of q wanting assembly to be able to make laws on all matters in 20 subject areas it has powers for + welsh assembly gained pwer for PL (incl:health, transport,agriculture) yes vote of 64%
10
Q
three more key devolution legislation for wales
A
- wales act 2014: first major trans of tax-raising powers including stamp duty, business rates + landfill tax enabling the welsh gov to replce with tax specific to wales
- wales act 2017: greater PLP in additional policy areas: control over own elect system (2/3) and areas: road signs, gas activity and could also vary rate of income tax upn to 1-p in pound and set up welsh revenue authority (policing+justice ommitted)
- senedd and elections act 2020: passed by welsh gov using powers devolved changed name of legislature to senedd cymru/welsh parliament + gave vote 16-17 for welsh parliamentary + local elections
11
Q
what was the backdrop for northern ireland devolution?
A
- ‘the troubles’ involving terrorist campaigns by loyalists/unionists and republican/nationalist paramilitaries
- devolved gov dominated by unionists + discriminatory towards nationalist minority and it was suspended and then aboloshed 1973 meaning any restoration of a devolved assembly would need agreement of both sides
12
Q
what happened after the stormont parliament was abolished in 1973?
-
A
- since 1972 northern ireland governed by direct rule from WM while the british army had presence to keep peace which was controversial to many nationalists
- peace + stability achieved following ceasefires in 1995 by main paramilitary groups (IRA)
- lengthy negotiations resulted in FGA 1998
13
Q
what was the good friday agreement?
A
- promise of a return to devolved government
- measures designed to embed peace process: prisoner release for convicted paramilitary terrorists, reductions in number of british army troops stationed in NI, civil rights measures
- promised just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos + aspirations of both communities
- had to be approved by ref - may 1998: 71% allowing creation of NI asembly + executive
14
Q
what was significant about the GFA?
A
- The 1998 agreement established an assembly which was to be elected using proportional representation (PR).
- PR was used so that all sections of Northern Ireland’s society would be represented
- All major parties in Northern Ireland were guaranteed ministerial positions because the executive in Northern Ireland was based on power sharing
15
Q
how was the northern ireland assembly not had an easy ride?
A
- remained suspended between 2017 and 2020 due to collapse of the power-sharing agreement between the democratic unionist party + sinn fein
- followed controversy over DUP handling of a green energy scandal compunded by deeo divisions over introduction of irish language act
- WM too advantage of absence of functioning NI assembly to extend same-sex marriage and legalise abortion despite both being areas of devolved responsibility meaning this intervention was against the ‘spirit’ of devolution
16
Q
how is devolution in northern ireland distinct?
A
- party structure: parties from both communities (DUP and UUP unionists and SDLP and sinn fein nationalist) along with centrist alliance party + green party with the main WM parties having no major presence although historic ties labout and SDLP
- power sharing embedded ensuring executive from both communities
- unlike other regional assemblies - assembly members must designate themselves as ‘nationalist’, ‘unionist, ‘other’
- others powers enhanced considerably but NI not really and very limited tax-raising powers
17
Q
what are the key features of scottish parliament
A
Number of elected members: 129
electoral system: AMS
first minister:
location: holyrood
18
Q
key features of senedd
A
60
ams
leader
cardiff
19
Q
northern ireland assembly
A
90
STV
leaders
belfast
20
Q
which areas does WM hold?
A
primarily defence, foreign affairs, trade and immigration, employment, social security, equal opportunities
21
Q
how is brexit an example of devolved institutions being excluded?
A
the devolved assemblies were given no direct role in the Brexit negotiations
22
Q
what is an example to highlight devolved area power?
A
- the m4 relief road
- boris johnson july 2020 announced relief road would be built for a section of the M4 in newport south wales plagued by queues and delays
- argued road congestion negative impact on business investment
- welsh gov argued transport entirely devolved ao he had no say on road building
23
Q
has devolution worked well in the UK?
A
-
24
Q
devolution has worked well in the UK
A
- allowed regional political differences to be recognised: scotland more left-leaning traditionally so has increased income tax rate for highest earners 46p in pound for those earning 150k+ compared 45p
- popular with voters: compare referendum results for wales 1997 v 2011
- helped peace process in northern ireland
- innovation in policy making can learn and launch - 2006 SP banned smoking in enclosed public spaces then extended to rest
25
what is a counterpoint to allowing regional political differences in being recognised which questions whether devolution has worked well?
62% in scotland voted remain for brexit referendum and were not even part of subsequent negotiations and same with NI
26
devolution has not worked well in the UK
- encouraged demands for greater separation and full independence weakening unity as result of scottish referendum quite close 55%-45% and devolution given many confidence can run own affairs
- hasnt muted demands - SNP frequently calling for indyref2
- devolution = fragile shown by prolonged suspension of NI
- cross-party working in northern ireland often led to gridlock
- policy ideas incl smoking/5p charge on plastic bags by WA anyhow happen
27
what are the categories of local government?
- 57 unitary councils = single-tier (education, social care + libraries)
- 36 metropolitan boroughs (same but longer established)
- 25 county councils (two-tier -education+social services)
- 188 district, borough/city councils (two-tier localised services: leisure planning)
- combined authorities
- 32 london boroughs
- city mayors
28
what are combined authorities?
- 1999 small number set up
- enable group of 2/more councils to collaborate + take collective decisions across council boundaries
- by 2020 - 10 such bodies created incl greater manchester
29
what are the 32 london boroughs?
- london own setup for local gov comprising of 32 london boroughs and greater london authority comprises of 25 elected members and a directly elected mayor
- sadiq khan
- structure approved following a referendum in 1998
30
city mayors
- gov encouraged directly elected city mayors
- local gov act 2000 allowed any local council in england to hold referendum on intro of a directly elected mayor either by citizen petition/council decision
- since then councils allowed to introduce system w/o referendum
- by 2020 - 15 directly elected city mayors + 8 metro mayors
31
example of city mayor
former labour health minister andy burnham elected as manchester mayor 2017
32
what are key points regarding local government in england?
- freq reorganised + merging for efficiency
- revenue-raising powers of english councils restricted relying mainly for funding on a block grant from central gov and can gain revenue from council tax by controlled by whilehall
- introduction of directly elected mayors not met enthusiasm - torbay + hartlepool aboloshed post
33
what example highlights the lack of impact of local gov?
- Some authorities, such as Bath and North East Somerset Council, have asked central government for the power to introduce a levy on local tourism and short-term holiday lettings, essentially a tourist tax
- By 2021, though, no such levy had been implemented - although april tourist tax manchester first city to implement
34
arguments for an english parliament?
- Currently, under the Barnett formula (mechanism used by Treasury in UK to adjust amount of expenditure), England receives less funding from UK taxes per capita than other UK regions. This could be addressed by having a devolved English Parliament
- permanent answer to west lothian q and end complex process of EVEL - 2015 DC gov withdrew attempt to relax foxhunting ban in england+wales after SNP said its MPs would vote against measure which broke convention of scottish MPs not voting on english only matter
- expression + priority to english identity - wales+scotland generally left-wing, england right reflected in EP - brexit vote ex
35
what are the arguments against an english parliament?
- not a lot of support in england for english parliament - just under 50% in 2009
- There would be considerable extra costs involved in the creation of an
additional layer of government. Its representatives would need to be paidand many more civil servants recruited to serve the new institution.
- It would, unlike devolution elsewhere, arguably weaken not strengthen the Union. There is no prospect of England leaving the UK if devolution is not granted
36
what is the impact of devolution on the government of the UK?
- the constituion
- policy variation
- alternative voting systems
- pressure groups
37
constitution
- changed - termed 'quasi-federal-
- ult sovereignty lies with WM can repeal all acts and abolish regional asemblies
- strong elemts of federal state
- scotland act 2016 established WM cant legoslate devolved matters w/o consent
38
policy variation
- differences and constrasts UK - uni tuition, car parking
- significant = covid 19 lockdown
- end of may 2020 guidelines/regs 'loosening' varied
- shops and school reopened earlier in england + NI
39
alt voting systems
- brought this in besides FPTP
- usually result minority/coalition
- impact on balance of power in devolved assemblies
40
pressure groups
- how and where operate
- when scottish parliament debated and subseq passed the law banning smacking of children north of border
- children charities like children 1st particularly involved in lobbying for the passing of the law
- pressure groups focus energies on where policy made - increasingly lobby devolved not just WM
-
41
callaghan
- labour's callaghan govt held two refs
- 1979 welsh referendum resulted in only 20% supporting dev
- 1979 scottish ref more convincing - 52% in favour - WM stipulated scottish assembly would not be created unless supported by 40% - only 33% turned out to vote yes
42
thatcher
- her conservative govt not prepared to pursue devolution further
- saw renewed demands for devolution + scottish/welsh nationalism - thatcher's policy against miners in particular spurred nationalistic demands
- labour + libdems supported devolution
43
blair
- labour's blair govt also held two refs
- 1997 - scottish ref:
74% in favour of scottish parliament with primary legislative powers on devolved matters
64% in favour that scotland's parliament could have tax varying powers
- 50.3% voted yes to welsh assembly
politics - UK
flashcards
Decks in class (6)
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