UK Politics and Government

Devolution and devolved system of government

Dr VaezadeSepehr Arefmanesh Spring 2014

Devolved System of Government

Scotland and Wales

The experience of devolution

Northern Ireland

Devolved Government? What does

it mean

Devolution vs. Federalism

Devolution is the transfer

of power from a central

government, to a local

authority.

Decentralization of London Changing Westminster

systemMulti-level governmentKeeping the UK united

Labor Party

19791997 and the packages

1. The Forces

Leading to Change

There are a number of steps that have to considered when, contemplating devolution. • Firstly is there a need for devolution, what are the benefits and what the limitations of devolution would be. • Secondly what would the people think, this information could be gathered through opinion poles. • Next would be a referendum what would voters think of it why would it be important. • Finally depending on the result, an act would have to be wrote and passed, detailing what powers would be controlled

Scotland

Under Thatcher, the Scots and Welsh resented the

fact that the Conservative MANDATE was weak in

the two countries. As Conservative support

weakened, so demands for self government grew

The Labour Party in Scotland and Wales felt

threatened by nationalist voting. It feared it might

lose support like the Conservatives.

Scotland was hugely resentful over the early

introduction of the Poll Tax one year before England

and Wales. This was the final nail in the

conservative coffin

1988 saw the Scottish Constitutional Convention

come out firmly in favour of devolution. This was an

example of multi-party political opinion

Wales Welsh Assembly • In existence since 1999• Less devolved power than Scotland (Education) • The Silk Commission reported in August 2013• There would be a big transfer of power from

London to Cardiff if its 33 recommendations were enacted.

New Labour and Devolution:Referendums in Scotland & Wales

1997Devolution Scotland Wales

YES 74.3% 50.3%

NO 25.7% 49.7%

Taxation (Scotland only)

YES 63.5% -

NO 36.5% -

TURNOUT 60.2% 50.1%

3. The Experience of

Devolution

Policy outcomeProblem of Stability of GovernmentsImportance of EuropeEvolving role of new figures

Northern

Ireland

• 1921-72: Devolved Govt in NI: Unionist domination

• 1969-98: The Troubles• 1970s & 1980s: Failed political

initiatives• 1994-96: IRA cease-fire• 1997: Labour Govt: talks with

Sinn Fein• 1998: Good Friday Agreement• 2010: New agreement to be

signed

Good Friday Agreement

• Power-sharing institutions• Decommissioning of

terrorist arms• Police reform• Regulation of marches• Release of paramilitary

prisoners• Principle of consent

– NI remains in UK but able to have a future referendum to join Republic of Ireland

Power-sharing in NI • First and Dep. First

Ministers (DUP & SF)• Executive: grand coalition

– 10 members: 4 DUP + 2 UUP + 3 SF + 1 SDLP

• 108-seat assembly (PR)– Special majorities

• North-South Ministerial Council (NI-ROI)

• Council of the Isles