Devolution in Scotland and Wales

Devolution = the delegation of powers from central government to regional or local administrations the state remains united / unitary devolved powers can be reclaimed by central government Vocabulary: to devolve powers from …to… What is devolution? How is different from feredalism.

Devolution in the UK In recent years some powers have been devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland The power to legislate on non-devolved subjects remains with MPs in Westminster Each devolved administration / government has different powers. Why? In recent years some powers have been devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland The power to legislate on non-devolved subjects remains with MPs in Westminster S, W and NI still elects MPs to Westminster Each devolved administration / government has different powers, Why? reflecting its different historical and political relationship with the UK. Today focusing on Scotland and Wales

Scotland

Scotland – a history of independence 1235: first recorded meeting of the Scottish Parliament 1706 / 1707: the Acts of Union joined Scotland and England/Wales, to create Great Britain 1934: The Scottish Nationalist Party was formed 1979-1997: Conservative governments refused any devolution Scotland was an independent country for hundred of years before its union with England 1235: first recorded meeting of the Scottish Parliament > long Parliamentary tradition in Scotland, Scotland was an independent nation for hundreds of years 1706 / 1707: the Acts of Union joined Scotland and England and Wales to create Great Britain. These acts were voted by the English and Scottish Parliaments, effectively abolished the Scottish Parliament, replaced by a British Parliament (Palace of Westminster) There were always nationalists in Scotland who disagreed with this union. 1934: The Scottish Nationalist Party was formed to fight for greater independence for Scotland. In the nineteen sixties and seventies there was some support for devolution, but then 1979-1997: Conservatives governments refused any devolution. This created a lot of anger in Scotland

Anger, resentment and growing support for devolution The Conservatives had little electoral support in Scotland, but the party remained in power for almost 20 years Conservative austerity policies affected Scotland disproportionately In 1997 not one of Scotland’s 72 constituencies elected a Conservative MP Between 1979 and 1997, there was Anger, resentment and growing support for devolution The Conservatives had little electoral support in Scotland, but the party remained in power for almost 20 years Conservative austerity policies affected Scotland disproportionately In 1997 not one of Scotland’s 72 constituencies elected a Conservative MP

Scotland - devolution 1997: The Labour Party promised a referendum on Scottish (and Welsh) devolution in their manifesto Following Labour victory a majority of Scottish voters voted for devolution 1998: The Scotland Act 1999: The Scottish Parliament was reconvened 2004: The Scottish Parliament moved to Holyrood 1997: The Labour Party promised a referendum on Scottish (and Welsh) devolution in their manifesto Following Labour victory a majority of Scots voted for devolution 1998: The Scotland Act devolved powers and created the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish executive (> now called the Scottish government) which had limited devolved powers 1999:The Scottish Parliament was reconvened (sat for the first time since 1706) 2004: The Scottish Parliament moved to Holyrood – often used a way to refer to the Scottish Parliament

Scotland – towards total independence? 2007: The SNP became the largest party in the Scottish Parliament 2014: After a divisive referendum campaign, Scottish voters rejected independence 2015: Landslide SNP victory in the UK general election 2016: The Scotland Act devolved more powers to the Scottish government 2007: The SNP became the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, there was a big rise ion support for Scottish indepependence 2014: led finally in 2014 to a Refrendum on Scottish independence After a divisive referendum campaign, Scottish voters rejected independence but in order to secure this result, the Britisg PM David Camerin had to promise that Svotland would be given more powers 2015: Landslide SNP victory in the UK general election (> to elect MPs for Westminster) 2016: The Scotland Act was amended to devolve more powers to the Scottish government > at the same time in the Scottish election, support for the SNP fell al little With The Brexit vote in 2016, the issue of independence is on teh agenda again

Scotland – towards total independence? Brexit > Scottish independence is on the agenda again Scotland voted against Brexit, and many Scots are very unhappy about being forced to leave the EU.

Wales

Wales – a longer and happier union with England 1535-42: Wales joined with England under Henry VIII 1979: Devolution rejected by 80% of Welsh voters 1979-1997: Similar situation to Scotland 1997: Just over 50% of Welsh voters voted for limited devolution and a National Assembly for Wales (created by the Government of Wales Act 1998) Wales – a closer relationship with England, it doesn’t have the same history as an independent country, or the same level of support for independence 1535-42: Wales joined with England under Henry VIII > Welsh were generally happy with the union 1979: Devolution rejected by 80% of Welsh voters 1979-1997: Similar situation to Scotland (little support for the Consrvatives, and growing poverty) 1997: Just over 50% of Welsh voters voted for limited devolution and a National Assembly for Wales (created by the Government of Wales Act 1998)

Wales – no appetite for independence (today) 1999: The Welsh Assembly sat for the first time 2006: The Government of Wales Act established the Welsh Government as a seperate body and gave the Assembly the power to pass primary legislation Plaid Cymru remains a minority party in Wales 1999: The Welsh Assembly sat for the first time 2006: powers were increased > The Government of Wales Act established the Welsh Government as a seperate body and gave the Assembly the power to pass primary legislation However, Plaid Cymru remains a minority party in Wales > there is no rela demand for independence. Wales actually voted for Brexit, so nationalists cannot use it as an argument to support their cause.

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The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) Powers   Number of representatives Representatives are called.. The Speaker is called…

The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Number of representatives Representatives are called.. The Speaker is called…

The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Number of representatives 129 Representatives are called.. The Speaker is called…

The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Number of representatives 129 Representatives are called.. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) The Speaker is called…

The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Number of representatives 129 Representatives are called.. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) The Speaker is called… The Presiding Officer

The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Number of representatives 129 Representatives are called.. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) The Speaker is called… The Presiding Officer

The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) (Carwyn Jones, Labour Party) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Number of representatives 129 Representatives are called.. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) The Speaker is called… The Presiding Officer

The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) (Carwyn Jones, Labour Party) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Passes legislation on devolved matters (less powers than Scotland) Number of representatives 129 Representatives are called.. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) The Speaker is called… The Presiding Officer

The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) (Carwyn Jones, Labour Party) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Passes legislation on devolved matters (less powers than Scotland) Number of representatives 129 60 Representatives are called.. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) The Speaker is called… The Presiding Officer

The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) (Carwyn Jones, Labour Party) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Passes legislation on devolved matters (less powers than Scotland) Number of representatives 129 60 Representatives are called.. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Assembly Members The Speaker is called… The Presiding Officer

The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… Scotland Wales Name of legislature The Scottish Parliament The National Assembly for Wales Headed by… The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon, SNP) (Carwyn Jones, Labour Party) Powers   Passes legislation on devolved matters (p79-80) Passes legislation on devolved matters (less powers than Scotland) Number of representatives 129 60 Representatives are called.. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Assembly Members The Speaker is called… The Presiding Officer