POLS: Devolution

Scotland & Wales comparison: can raise taxes?

S: Yes (limited). W: No

Scotland & Wales comparison: can pass laws?

S: Yes. W: No.

Scotland & Wales comparison: legal system?

S: separate, under Scottish control. W: Fully integrated in English system.

Scotland after devolution

SNP takes off, displaces Labour as largest party in Scotland. Stepping stone idea: devolution empowers Scottish nationalists - argue for full independence

Arguments FOR devolution

- 'Heterogeneous policy tastes' - different policies without undermining nation as a whole (e..g Scotland) - Effective service delivery - public services closer, enhances efficiency & transparency - Cultural diversity

Northern Ireland history of devolution

- Conquered by Eng 16-17C, separate Kingdom - Unified w/ England, Scotland & Wales to create UK in 1801, Irish self-government abolished - N'Ireland separates separates from South, gains independence first as a 'free state' in 1921, then as Republic of Ireland 1937 - N'Ireland remained divided b/w Unionists (Protestants) who favoured continual union w/ UK & Nationalists (Catholics), favoured reunification w/ Ireland - Given devolved authority in 1922 through Parliament Stormont - 1972: Stormont suspended after violence against UK 1960s, direct rule from Westminster imposed - Good Friday Agreement, Blair, 1997 = peacetreaty - New devolved assembly ratified by two referenda, Republic of Ireland: 94% in favour. - Consequence = hardline parties

Wales history of devolution

- Historically most integrated of regions into overall British system - Pre-modern era: range of small kingdoms & fiefdoms controlled to varying degrees by English crown - Formally & legally incorporated under English law by Henry VIII in 1530's - PLAID CYMRU = Welsh nationalist party advocating full independence - around 10-15% of Welsh vote since 2000 - Labour 1997 election victory, 1999 referendum - 50.4% favoured devolved assembly, Welsh Assembly 2000

Argument AGAINST devolution

- More expensive than unitary government - evidence unclear - May be stepping stone to further independence demands - legitimises notions of separatism - Can create unfair outcomes r.e. distribution of economic resources & political influence

Definition of devolution

- Political institutions that hand range of powers & authority to lower political levels. - Federalism a form - extensive powers devolved in a usually symmetrical way (all states have same powers), usually constitutionally defined & mandated. - UK: Form a ASYMMETRIC devolution - different constituent parts have different powers/political arrangement.

Scotland history of devolution

- Pre-modern: separate kingdom & long history of conflict w/ England. Remained until Act of Union 1707 - Strong though separatist sentiment, especially SNP - 50% of vote 2015, 56 to 59 seats - 1978 Scotland Act proposed a devolved assembly for Scotland by referendum - narrowly in favour 51.6&, but turnout not high enough to validate - 1997 Lab victory, second referendum - 74% - Scottish parliament created 1999

Areas of dispute r.e. devolution

- The West Lothian question: Scottish MPs in parliament can vote in matters affected English & Wales, not vice versa - Barnett Formula: Scottish public services, more generous than UK, paid for out of central government revenues distributed according to a formula that, in effect, SUBSIDISES Scotland's spend through English tax receipts

Overall results of Devolution

- Wales: demands for autonomy/independence relatively weak. Appears to have contained nationalist sentiment. - Scotland: independence demands historically stronger, devolution intitially contained but now appears a stronger platform for pro-independence forces in the SNP. - N'Ireland: devolution strengthened nationalist parties but also created mechanisms for cooperation

Scotland & Wales comparison: voting system?

S: Additional member system, 56% constituency & 44% party list. W: Additional member system, 60% constituency, 40% party list

Scotland & Wales comparison: extent of remit?

S: Most areas except foreign policy, defence, immigration. W: More limited 'fields' of authority