Overview
This lecture covers the concept of Devolution in UK politics, its development in the four nations, key debates, recent examples, and potential reforms relevant for A-level exams.
Exam Relevance and Key Questions
- Devolution is part of the UK Constitution topic for A-level.
- Essay questions often focus on devolution's success and possible further reforms.
- Practice questions: Evaluate if devolution has been a success; should it go further, especially in England?
Introduction to Devolution
- Devolution was introduced after the 1997 Labour election victory, with referendums in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Reasons: Address nationalism, prevent independence, boost local democracy, modernize the constitution, and improve services.
- Acts of Parliament set up devolved bodies.
Devolution by Nation
Scotland
- Scotland Act 1998 created Scottish Parliament with significant powers.
- Further powers added after 2014 independence referendum, especially fiscal (Scotland Act 2016).
- Can vary income tax rates and controls most public services.
- Supreme Court (2022) ruled Scotland can't hold an independence referendum without UK Parliament consent.
Wales
- Initially had limited powers due to weak national sentiment.
- Powers have increased since 2011; renamed Welsh Parliament in 2017.
- Controls: health, education, environment, housing; limited fiscal powers.
- Calls for matching Scotland’s powers are growing, especially post-Covid.
Northern Ireland
- Devolution rooted in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement with power-sharing required.
- Frequent suspensions due to political deadlock; currently suspended.
- Holds powers over public services, but less fiscal autonomy.
England
- No English parliament; devolution is patchy and region-specific.
- London and some city regions like Manchester have elected mayors and powers over transport, policing, and economic development.
- Regional assemblies rejected by 2004 referendum; "English Votes for English Laws" scrapped in 2021.
Key Issues and Examples
Funding: The Barnett Formula
- Allocates funding to devolved nations; criticized for unfair distribution.
Policy Divergence
- Tuition fees, health care, and policies diverge widely among nations, affecting citizens differently.
- Covid-19 highlighted and increased these divergences.
Debates Over Devolution
Impact on Democracy
- Positive: Better representation, tailored policies, proportional systems.
- Negative: Lower turnout, unequal citizenship, undermined parliamentary sovereignty.
Impact on UK Unity
- Positive: Satisfies some nationalist demands, stabilizes Northern Ireland.
- Negative: Fuels nationalism, increases differences, strains relations.
Economic and Policy Impacts
- Positive: Allows for experimentation and local focus.
- Negative: Unequal outcomes; devolved regions haven't always outperformed England.
Potential Reforms
- Suggestions for further powers to devolved bodies, more fiscal devolution, or new English Parliament.
- Arguments for and against include practicality, public support, fairness, and risks of disunity.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Devolution — Transfer of powers from central government to regional or local bodies.
- Barnett Formula — System for allocating funding to devolved administrations.
- Fiscal Devolution — Devolved power to set and collect taxes.
- Service Devolution — Devolved power over public services.
- West Lothian Question — Issue of MPs from devolved nations voting on England-only matters.
- English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) — Procedure (now scrapped) giving English MPs veto over England-only legislation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare essay plans on devolution’s success and potential further reforms.
- Review examples of policy differences (tuition fees, health).
- Study the structure and powers of devolved bodies in each UK nation.