What is multi-level governance? Sovereign? The Prime Minister The House of Commons Parliament The Judiciary The UK population The Scottish Parliament The Northern Ireland Assembly The Welsh Assembly The UK Civil Service The European Union The United Nations The UK DO NOW In politics, sovereignty refers to supreme authority over a specific country or region. Sovereignty can be political, implying the practical ability to exercise power; legal, meaning a legal right to exercise power; or both. From the list opposite, identify which institutions have political sovereignty, which have legal sovereignty, which have both, and which neither.

Sovereignty InstitutionSovereignty? The Prime MinisterPolitical sovereignty The House of CommonsLegal sovereignty The JudiciaryNone -- but lots of influence The UK PeoplePossible case for legal and ultimate sovereignty The Scottish ParliamentPolitical sovereignty (limited) The Northern Ireland AssemblyPolitical sovereignty (limited) The Welsh AssemblyPolitical sovereignty (limited) The UK Civil ServiceNone The European UnionPolitical sovereignty The United NationsNone The UKLegal sovereignty but not full political sovereignty

Hobbes’ view of sovereignty

Pooled sovereignty Some political theorists have advanced the notion of ‘pooled sovereignty’, sovereignty that is shared between a number of different bodies, to explain this picture In examination terms, we call this ‘multi-level governance’; this refers both to the relationship between Westminster and the devolved assemblies and between Westminster and the EU

Learning objectives To understand the concept of devolution and the forms it may take To describe the relationship between the representative assemblies of the UK To evaluate the enhanced powers of the Scottish Parliament

What is the UK? 1536 and 1543 Acts of Union annexed Wales to the Kingdom of England 1603 James VI of Scotland crowned James I of England 1707 Act of Union between England and Scotland created the Kingdom of Great Britain 1801 Kingdom of Ireland was joined to Great Britain /6s of Ireland seceded to form the Republic of Ireland, leaving behind the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Devolution under Labour Northern Ireland Assembly (1998) Scottish Parliament & Welsh Assembly (1999) Greater London Assembly & Mayor (2000) Referendums held to confirm new devolved bodies PR electoral system used for each assembly

Devolution – for and against ForAgainst

Devolution – for and against ForAgainst Decision-making closer to the populace is more democratic The four nations of the UK have distinct national identities The four nations have different political leanings The four nations have different needs Popular demand for local government has been growing Self-government (“Home rule”) is a way of warding off movements for full independence Devolution reduces the workload on the Westminster Parliament Multi-level government is fundamental to the operation of the EU Devolution may fuel nationalist demands for full independence and lead to the break up of Britain It creates an unnecessary layer of government bureaucracy; this increases the costs and risks confusion The West Lothian Question, i.e. the balance of powers between Westminster and the national assemblies/parliaments

Which is the odd one out?

CountryAdministrative devolution Legislative devolution Financial devolution ScotlandYes WalesYes No Northern IrelandYes No Models of devolution Administrative Control over the allocation of public funds, the administration of government, the power to pass secondary legislation and the implementation of laws passed in Westminster. Legislative The ability to pass laws specific to the country or region. Financial The ability to raise taxes, usually within specific limits.

What is the West Lothian Question? Scottish MPs in Westminster are allowed to vote on legislation that affects the whole of the UK, e.g. education English MPs in Westminster are not allowed to vote on certain types of legislation that would affect Scotland (because these powers have been devolved to Holyrod) Labour MP Tam Dalyell called this ‘the West Lothian Question’

What is the Barnett Formula? The Barnett Formula is the formula governing the way public spending is distributed around the countries of the UK

What do the Scots get for our money? Higher levels of public spending on services including health Free care for the elderly No university tuition fees Minimum prices for alcohol

Limits to the powers of the Scottish Parliament All powers can be repatriated to Westminster (in theory) Holyrood can’t amend the devolution legislation itself Holyrood can’t pass laws that conflict with British law or EU law Scottish legislation must conform to the Human Rights Act (HRA)

Composition of seats Breakdown of seats in Holyrood after 2011 Party# seats Scottish National Party69 Labour Party37 Conservative Party15 Liberal Democrats5 Greens2 Other1

What is ‘Devo Max’? During the Scottish Referendum debate, the leaders of all three main Westminster parties pledged to support ‘Devo Max’ if Scotland rejected independence This would give Scotland substantive control over all aspects of its day-to-day affairs except for defence and foreign affairs

The Smith Commission report The Smith Commission, est. to determine the scope of the Scottish Parliament’s extra powers, reported on November 27, 2014 The Commission essentially recommended an increase in fiscal devolution, proposing that Holyrood should have full control over income tax rates in Scotland Nicola Sturgeon called it the “minimal acceptable” level of devolution owed to Scotland

The Smith Commission report Smith went too far for some people and not far enough for others Nicola Sturgeon called it the “minimal acceptable” level of devolution owed to Scotland Alastair Carmichael called it “home rule for Scotland at last” David Cameron responded by renewing his proposals for ‘English votes for English laws’

Write a speech Write a response to the Smith Commission from either Sturgeon or Cameron. Take their top-line statements as your starting point.

Is Scottish Independence dead? Despite the victory for the ‘no’ vote in September’s referendum, some argue that the independence debate isn’t dead In particular, nationalists argue that a decision to leave the EU in 2017 could trigger another referendum

Homework Research the powers of the Welsh Assembly and the limits to those powers. Also research the composition of the Welsh Assembly.