DevolutionDevolution

P272-290P272-290

You need to know..You need to know..

Definitions / key terms – comparison of Definitions / key terms – comparison of systemssystems

Background to devolutionBackground to devolution

At least 2 systems (powers / electoral At least 2 systems (powers / electoral process / results )Scotland / Walesprocess / results )Scotland / Wales

Arguments in favour and againstArguments in favour and against

Legacy of Labour’s actions?Legacy of Labour’s actions?

Key termsKey terms

Unitaryism vs federalism What is the difference?Unitaryism vs federalism What is the difference?Parliamentary sovereigntyParliamentary sovereigntyConstitutions (codified/uncodified)Constitutions (codified/uncodified)ReferendumReferendumMandateMandateWest Lothian affairWest Lothian affairAdministrative devolutionAdministrative devolutionLegislative devolutionLegislative devolutionReserved powersReserved powersAsymmetric devolutionAsymmetric devolution

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00shttp://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s6rtc/The_Andrew_Marr_Show_25_04_2016rtc/The_Andrew_Marr_Show_25_04_2010/0/

Advantages and disadvantages of Advantages and disadvantages of unitary and federal statesunitary and federal states

+ve -ve

Unitary Clear ranking of ………. Excessive concentration ……………………

Provide clear ……………….. for citizens

Inadequate …………..of regional / minority diversity

Federal Act as ……….on central power

Overlap of …………: competition and …………………..

Provide national unity in large countries / but caters for regional responsibility. ‘Acceptable compromise between ………………………………….

Power tends to be concentrated at centre, especially on economic issues. Eg USA

States useful as labs for democracy – policy experiment.

Hard to get things done quickly. Eg USA civil rights

Advantages and disadvantages of Advantages and disadvantages of unitary and federal statesunitary and federal states

+ve -ve

Unitary Clear ranking of authority Excessive concentration of power at centre

Provide clear focus of loyalty for citizens

Inadequate representation of regional / minority diversity

Federal Act as check on central power

Overlap of powers: competition and conflict / gridlock

Provide national unity in large countries / but caters for regional responsibility. ‘Acceptable compromise between effective gov and regional recognition

Power tends to be concentrated at centre, especially on economic issues. Eg USA

States useful as labs for democracy – policy experiment.

Hard to get things done quickly. Eg USA civil rights

Devolution in ScotlandDevolution in Scotland

Scotland Act 1998 – parliament of 129 members (AMS)Scotland Act 1998 – parliament of 129 members (AMS)Since 2007 – Scottish government (not executive – SNP Since 2007 – Scottish government (not executive – SNP introduction)introduction)Powers? Powers? Health / Education training/ local gov / social work / Health / Education training/ local gov / social work / housing / law / Environmenthousing / law / EnvironmentReserved powers? Reserved powers? Constitution / foreign policy / defence / employmentConstitution / foreign policy / defence / employment

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_20http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/scotland/8645190.stm10/scotland/8645190.stm

Scottish governmentScottish government

129 members elected by AMS129 members elected by AMS

Leader becomes First MinisterLeader becomes First Minister

He chooses executive (now government)He chooses executive (now government)

Powers (47)range from criminal law to Powers (47)range from criminal law to education and policing to local government education and policing to local government with ‘reserved powers’ (foreign policy , with ‘reserved powers’ (foreign policy , defence ) remaining in Westminsterdefence ) remaining in Westminster

Annual budget is £30 billionAnnual budget is £30 billion

Key decisionsKey decisions

1999 – 2007 – coalition with Libe dems1999 – 2007 – coalition with Libe dems

Since 2007 – SNP minority government, Since 2007 – SNP minority government, backed by Greensbacked by Greens

Student tuition fees rejectedStudent tuition fees rejected

Foundation hospitals not introducedFoundation hospitals not introduced

Elderly receive free care in nursing and Elderly receive free care in nursing and residential homesresidential homes

Devolution in WalesDevolution in Wales

60 strong National Assembly (rather than 60 strong National Assembly (rather than parliament)parliament)Elections AMSElections AMSSince 2001 Welsh Assembly governmentSince 2001 Welsh Assembly governmentNational Assembly less powerful;National Assembly less powerful; eg.Not eg.Not granted primary law making powersgranted primary law making powersPressure group on Westminster?Pressure group on Westminster?Experienced both minority and coalition Experienced both minority and coalition governments.governments.Critics argue- ‘talking shop’ without any Critics argue- ‘talking shop’ without any significant powersignificant power

AchievementsAchievements

SATs abolished for 7 year oldsSATs abolished for 7 year oldsQuangocracy has been tackledQuangocracy has been tackledClear red water – 2000 Alun Michael lost confidence vote Clear red water – 2000 Alun Michael lost confidence vote and Rhodri Morgan took over.and Rhodri Morgan took over.2006 government of Wales act;2006 government of Wales act;Make executive body – The Welsh Assembly Make executive body – The Welsh Assembly GovernmentGovernmentForbid candidates standing as constituency candidate as Forbid candidates standing as constituency candidate as well as regional listwell as regional listGrant Assembly greater legislative roleGrant Assembly greater legislative roleSince 2007 – PC and Labour CoalitionSince 2007 – PC and Labour CoalitionSee link on moodle.See link on moodle.

Devolution in WalesDevolution in Wales

How is devolution in Wales different to How is devolution in Wales different to Scotland?Scotland?

What have been the recent changes?What have been the recent changes?

Homework – Read and take notes on the Homework – Read and take notes on the article titled ‘ Devolution – Is it working’?article titled ‘ Devolution – Is it working’?

Devolution and the UKDevolution and the UKWhat’s wrong with the status quo?What’s wrong with the status quo?

Politics review 2009Politics review 2009

UK has always been asymmetrically UK has always been asymmetrically organised.organised.The union has always been curiously The union has always been curiously disconnected between its non-English disconnected between its non-English parts.parts.Piecemeal approach to reform?Piecemeal approach to reform?What have been the spillovers?What have been the spillovers?Purpose of Union in post-devolution is Purpose of Union in post-devolution is unclear.unclear.

Sovereignty and devolution. Quasi-federalism?Sovereignty and devolution. Quasi-federalism?Vernon BogdanorVernon Bogdanor

Devolution is a new constitutional settlement. Devolution is a new constitutional settlement. Devolution is not federalism. Federalism involves dividing the Devolution is not federalism. Federalism involves dividing the powers of government and various states or provinces. Congress is powers of government and various states or provinces. Congress is subordinate to the constitution.subordinate to the constitution.Devolution preserves the sovereignty of Parliament. UK fed or dev?Devolution preserves the sovereignty of Parliament. UK fed or dev?Westminster Parliament’s sovereignty over Scotland now amounts Westminster Parliament’s sovereignty over Scotland now amounts to something far less than the ‘unlimited power’ identified by Dicey.to something far less than the ‘unlimited power’ identified by Dicey.What change has their been to MPs since 1999?What change has their been to MPs since 1999?As a parliament what has Westminster been changed into, As a parliament what has Westminster been changed into, according to the article?according to the article?What are the varying responsibilities of MPs across the union?What are the varying responsibilities of MPs across the union?What for the future of Ireland / Scotland and Wales?What for the future of Ireland / Scotland and Wales?

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/a-natiohttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/a-national-conversationnal-conversation

Has devolution been good for Scotland? (10 Has devolution been good for Scotland? (10 marks) 15 minutes to tackle this question.marks) 15 minutes to tackle this question.

YesYes NoNo

Has devolution been good for Scotland? (10 Has devolution been good for Scotland? (10 marks) 15 minutes to tackle this question.marks) 15 minutes to tackle this question.

YesYes

Gives people legitimacy – 50% Gives people legitimacy – 50% support for coalitions formed in support for coalitions formed in 1999/2003.1999/2003.It is democratic – better It is democratic – better representationrepresentationResulted in Scottish policiesResulted in Scottish policiesStudents don’t have to pay Students don’t have to pay tuition feestuition feesBetter arrangements for health Better arrangements for health / employment (teaching pay / employment (teaching pay etc)etc)

NoNoNot all want an executive Not all want an executive pushing an independent pushing an independent agenda – SNP – 32% backing agenda – SNP – 32% backing from public (2007)from public (2007)Sewel motion - allows Sewel motion - allows executive to hand debate over executive to hand debate over to Westminsterto WestminsterLead to reduction in Scottish Lead to reduction in Scottish MPs as a result of West MPs as a result of West Lothian issue.Lothian issue.

Merits and demerits of Scottish Merits and demerits of Scottish devolutiondevolution

DemocraticDemocratic

Legitimate Legitimate GovernmentGovernment

Socially Socially representativerepresentative

Preserves UK as Preserves UK as political entitypolitical entity

Scottish policiesScottish policies

CostsCosts

BalkanisationBalkanisation

West Lothian West Lothian QuestionQuestion

Recipe for tensionRecipe for tension

Examples of Scottish policies under Examples of Scottish policies under devolutiondevolution

Student tuition fees have been rejected in Student tuition fees have been rejected in ScotlandScotland

Foundation hospitals have not been Foundation hospitals have not been introducedintroduced

Elderly people have received entirely free Elderly people have received entirely free care in nursing and residential homes.care in nursing and residential homes.

Fox hunting has been abolishedFox hunting has been abolished

Teachers’ pay and conditions improvedTeachers’ pay and conditions improved

Past PapersPast PapersJune 2009June 2009

Explain the term local government used in the extract. (5 marks)

Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, explain why, following devolution, there is controversy about the representation of Scotland at Westminster. (10 marks)

Devolution has resulted in a genuine dispersal of political power in Britain.’ Discuss. (25 marks)