devolution part two

Question 1

list the impact devolution has on politics

Answer 1

• it has created a relationship between the nations of the UK
• it has established the distinctive quality of the nations
• it also reflects the membership of the union

Question 2

in what ways is the UK a quasi federal nation?

Answer 2

limited parliamentary sovereignty - Westminster is no longer in control of the domestic matters in Scotland, Wales and northern Ireland
Quasi federal parliament
Supreme court - resolves disputes about if the devolved bodies have acted within their powers.

Question 3

How have some Scottish and Welsh laws impacted the UK?

Answer 3

The smoking, health and social care act in Scotland which banned smoking in enclosed public spaces in Scotland influences England as they enabled the same act in England themselves
Wales became the first country in the UK to establish a children’s commissioner to promote the rights and welfare of children, England then passed this same act in 2004

Question 4

what is the west lothian question?

Answer 4

the issue that Scottish MP’s are able to vote on English matters at Westminster when English MPs cannot vote on devolved matters to the Scottish Parliament

Question 5

what is nationalism?

Answer 5

a political ideology that regards the nation as a main form of political community and believes that nations should be self governed.

Question 6

Discuss Scotland and the effects devolution has had

Answer 6

• they have primary legislative powers of several areas such as: economic development, education, environment and law and order.
• the first minister of the cabinet (nicola sturgeon) heads the government and appoints cabinet
• Westminster no longer makes law for Scotland
• the Scottish parliament also has tax- varying powers i.e income tax can be raised or lowered by up to three pence in the pound.
• In September 1997, there was a referendum in Scotland in which people voted for devolution. The UK Parliament then passed the Scotland Act 1998 which established the Scottish Parliament, which opened in 1999, and transferred some of the powers previously held at Westminster.

Question 7

Discuss Wales and the effect of devolution

Answer 7

• initially, the Welsh assembly only had only executive and secondary legislative powers
• it was not until the government act of Wales 2006 which enabled the assembly to ask for further powers to be transferred from Westminster
• this allowed for Wales to receive primary legislative powers if approved in a referendum
• the 2011 referendum resulted in a 64% ‘yes vote’
• these primary legislative powers included education, health, transport and the environment

Question 8

Discuss the effects of northern Ireland in devolution

Answer 8

• there is constant division between unionist (people who support the union of GB and NI) and nationlists
• The IRA were linked to how the Northern Irish wanted to be governed they sought to end British rule in northern Ireland
• However, the good Friday agreement in 1998 established power sharing devolution (special arrangement which ensures both communities in a divided society are represented in the executive and assent to legislation on sensitive issues)
• the NI assembly has primary legislative powers however it does not have tax raising powers
• Ireland is led by the first minster and deputy first minster
• the good Friday agreement ensured power sharing with both unionists and nationalists represented in government