Uk politics and government- devolution
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Transcript of Uk politics and government- devolution
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