A Level Revision Notes: Devolution - An Introduction to Scottish, Welsh & Irish Devolution

What Is Devolution:

The transfer of political power but not sovereignty from a central government to a subnational government

What Is Primary Legislation:

Authority to make laws on devolved policy areas e.g tax raising powers
Wales has only had executive powers but then gained primary legislation power along with tax raising powers

Demands Of Devolution:

Pressure had been building since the 1970s with the revival of national callups for those who were nationalist Scottish and Welsh
Government responded to pressure by allowing a referendum due to the rise of parties wanting referendums on devolution.

Outcomes Of ‘79 And ‘97 Referendums:

’79 Wales: The campaign for No won because only 20% of the people backed the assembly
’79 Scotland: 52% wanted devolution but Westminster said they would only create an assembly if 40% of the Scottish people supported it, only 33% did.
More people wanted devolution in the Conservatives long reign over government and Labour then came into power and allowed referendums in both places.
’97 Scotland: 74.3% supported a Scottish Parliament and 65.3% wanted tax powers
’97 Wales: 50.3% wanted devolution with a high proportional of Welsh speakers, East Wales did not want devolution.

Scottish Devolution:

How Is The Scottish Parliament Chosen & Which Parties Have Governed Scotland:

Scottish Parliament has 129 members (MSPs) elected by AMS
73 MSPs (57% of the total) elected in single member constituencies using FPTP
56 MSPs (43% of the total) are ‘additional members’ chosen from the LIST system. Elected from 8 multi-member constituencies using regional list or PR.
They draw up policy proposal and also implement legislation
First Minister (leader of largest party) heads the government and appoints cabinet
1999-2007: Labour in coalition with Liberal Democrats
2007 – 2018*: SNP under Alex Salmond and from 2014 Nicola Sturgeon.

What Did The Scotland Act Of 2016 Ensure:

3 main parties said if No campaign won in 2014, they would allow for more devolution in Scotland.
Control of income tax rates and bands
Scottish Parliament could now control 50% of VAT in Scotland
Control over welfare benefits including Universal Credit and the ‘Bedroom Tax’
Road signs and speed limits, rail and fracking
Right to vote in Scottish Parliament

Reversed Powers:

Name of powers which remain in Westminster
UK Constitution, defence, foreign policy, broadcasting, social security, nuclear energy)
Westminster did have a rule which stated that they were still above Scotland and were still in control but this changed in 2016 where 2 more rules came into place.
Westminster will not legislate on devolved matters without consent
Scottish Parliament cannot be abolished unless it has been approved in a referendum in Scotland.

The 2014 Independence Referendum:

Yes campaign fronted by SNP argued that the Scottish people were best suited to make decisions which affect Scotland and then highlighted economic and social policies that an SNP government would add. They stated that the Queen would still be head of state and would keep the pound as currency but would have it’s own written constitution and full responsibility for welfare, foreign and defence policy
Pro Union Campaign No (Better Together) was supported by the 3 main parties in the UK. Arguments that Scotland would enjoy the best of both world as well as economic benefits of staying. Thoughts that independence would damage Scotland’s economy and leaving would mean that there would no currency union. Whilst the EU said that leaving would mean that Scotland would not automatically become a member of the EU.
55.3% voted no vs 44.7% supporting yes (1.6 million of the total vote)
Turnout was very high set of 84.5% this was because, 16 year olds were allowed to vote on a topic that would affect them.
Glasgow, Dundee returned a huge majority for leaving
Men wanted independence more than women as were the working class and people aged under 55
National identity was also seen as important.
SNP voters voted for independence whilst No attracted some Labour supporters.

What Is Devomax:

Having full fiscal autonomy i.e in charge of all taxes, duties and spending. The SNP argued that after the referendum that Scotland did not have this.

Welsh Devolution:

How Is The Welsh Assembly Chosen:

What Powers Has It Gained Over The Years, Especially In The Wales Act 2017:

Powers have expanded rapidly since its creation but they are not as powerful as the Scottish Parliament
A system of reversed power similar to that in Scotland
1988 Act: Powers on health, education, transport, the environment and economic development
2017 Act: Allows control of landfill tax and stamp duty, a Welsh rate of income tax by giving the Assembly control of income tax and the need for a referendum to decide this, local and assemblies were also created on fracking, rail franchising and road speed limits.
If 2/3 of members support it, then the assembly can be renamed itself the Welsh Parliament

Northern Ireland Devolution:

What Differences Exist Between NI And The Rest Of The UK:

Communal Conflict: A main divide between the unionists and nationalists. Unionists want NI to remain part of the UK whilst nationalists want a united Ireland. Unionists identity with the British State and tend to be Protestant whereas, nationalists’ identity themselves as Irish and tend to be Catholic – 45% of NI population in 2011
Distinctive Party System: Elections are contested between the nationalists and unionists and the main issue is the constitutional status of NI.
Security: Terrorist campaigns by republican and loyalist paramilitary organisation killed more than 3600 people during the Troubles whilst British soldiers patrolled the streets for decades afterwards. IRA removed ceasefire since 1995 but some republican groups are active.
Separate System Of Government: NI is governed differently to the rest of the UK. Secretary of state for NI has significant policy-making powers. Devolution is designed so that the unionists and nationalists can work together by sharing powers.

Features Of The Good Friday Agreement:

Established power-sharing devolution and required that the UK and Irish governments to amend their constitution to clarify the status of NI.
Assembly has 108 members elected by STV of PR, elections every 4 then changed to 5 years
Does not have major tax-raising powers but corporation tax was devolved in 2015, some cross-community support from both unionists and nationalist parties.
First Minister is the leader of the largest party
Ministerial posts are allocated on a proportional basis according to party strength as this ensures power sharing with the unionists and nationalists.
No official opposition as SDLP and UUP declined to form one
DUP opposed the Good Friday agreement and Sinn Fein a party with close links to the IRA have shared powers since 2007
Devolution remains a preferred constitutional choice of a majority of voters in NI but the assembly collapsed in 2017 when the DUP and Sinn Fein refused to nominate a deputy first minister.