Devolution in the UK
Devolution in Northern Ireland 1922
first nation to devolve in 1922
following long period of sectarianism conflict ( 1968-1998 )
Good Friday Agreement
peace treaty signed between British and Irish governments ( + Irish political parties e.g IRA, DUP and Sinn Fein ) on how Ireland should be governed ( shared power system )
10th April 1998
signed in order to make the two sides work together on how to govern Northern Ireland, ending the troubles and guaranteeing peace
the agreement transferred executive and legislative powers to Northern Ireland
the agreement threatens devolution as the power is returned if nationalists and unionist cant rule together
shared power
in 1998, shared power system introduced.
Northern Ireland assembly
has power over...
housing
Threats to Devolution
employment
education
health
agriculture
environment
culture
some legislative power
welfare
justice
unionist and nationalists have to rule together otherwise power is returned to Westminster
recently, nationalists gained majority ( Sinn Fein )
DUP refused to work together, therefore power returned to Westminster
Direct rule
Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol - Ireland is still in the EU where there is free travel between countries ( threat to UK ). GFA prevents any hard borders between Ireland and N. Ireland. De facto border put in place ( N. Ireland Protocol ), caused up roar within unionists and DUP will not share power till border is removed
Shared power - DUP refusing to share the power meaning it has been returned to Westminster. Northern Ireland assembly does not sit.
Devolution in Wales 1977
People in Wales are more reluctant for devolution than in Scotland
two votes taken, 1st majority said no to devolving, 2nd said yes
Wales was conquered by English in 13th century and has been anglicised
lost control of their legal system
speaking welsh was punished
lack of influence in Westminster inspired change for devolution
Capel Celyn incident
devolved powers include...
agriculture
education
environment
health and social care
housing
local governement
highways and transport
some control over income tax
welsh language
Devolution in Scotland
1997, referendum was held where people voted for devolution
nationalist party in power currently ( Nicola Sturgeon )
Scotland is DEVO-MAX
most devolved a nation can be before becoming independent
referendum to leave the UK resulted in staying ( 2014 )
devolved powers include....
the economy
education
health
justice
rural affairs
housing
environment
equal opportunities
consumer advocacy
transport
taxation
what is devolution
the UK is a political construct that is 4 countries
each country has distinct and separate identities
the transfer or delegation of power to a lower level especially by central government to local or regional administration
power is centralised in Westminster
Quasi federal, power distributed but can be taken back
in 1990s large amounts of devolution started to occur as Tony Blair devolved to make the union stronger
prevent nationalism
stop independence
failing
set income taxes
levy additional taxes
control over certain benefits
receive 50% of VAT raised in Scotland
control over oil and gas exploration
influence over franchise
England and Scotland always had a relationship of hostility