Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not
for England and Northern Ireland.
In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledge and understanding of the
study of Component 1: UK politics and core political ideas. You must consider
this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way).
(30 Marks)
Keywords:
Devolution- the transfer of power to a
lower level, especially by the central
government to local or regional
administration - Decentralisation
- Lending power to other states
- The central government (UK) can take
back power
INTRO Outline argument:
● Agree- Scotland and wales both
gained additional powers
● Disagree- England does not need a
separate parliament
● Agree- the suspension of Stormont
Judgement:
Agree- this statement creates a more
convincing argument as England and NI
have been short-changed in the
devolution settlement compared to Wales
and Scotland. Has left English devolution
unresolved
Point: Agree
- Scotland has gained additional powers
through the Scotland Acts
- Wales has also gained additional powers
since powers were devolved under Blair
- whereas, England does not have a
devolved assembly and NI has not gained
additional powers.
Examples:
- The scotland 2016 act extended powers
, in relation to transport, energy and social
security benefits, and to set income tax
rates and thresholds, as well as to receive
the proceeds of national VAT
- The wales Act 1998 gave secondary
legislative powers to the Assembly
Counter- argument:
- Most people don’t make a distinction
between England and Britain as a whole-
Paragraph 1: Scotland they see westminster as ‘their parliament’
therefore there is no need for an english
and wales both gained assembly
additional powers
Judgement:
We can conclude that since both Scotland
and Wales have gained additional powers,
devolution has been good for them-
England and NI missing out on this has
cost them, Although, England identify with
westminster there are strong regional
identity in parts of the UK, a more focused
assembly would be able to create better
circumstances for these areas e.g Devon
and Cornwall
Point: Disagree
- English interests are already represented
by the UK parliament and so England
does not need a separate parliament or
assembly
Evidence:
- there is limited popular support for it- the
idea is not supported by any major
political party
Paragraph 2: England - many areas of England don’t have a
strong local identity, they see themselves
does not need separate as English or even British
powers - would complicate the relationship
between the regions and Parliament-
England would dominate a federal
assembly and its relationship with the
westminster would be complicated
Counter argument:
- However under the current system
, England receives less money per person
than other parts of the UK, they are being
neglected
- England is the largest and most
prosperous part of the UK and is the only
nation without a devolved body
Judgement:
Therefore, this demonstrates the
statement is still the most convincing
argument as England are being neglected
compared to wales and scotland
Point: Agree
Stormont is the commonly used name to
refer to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Located in stormont estate, in east
Belfast.
Evidence:
- The suspension of Stormont for an
extended period over the ‘cash for ash’
scandal (a political scandal in Northern
Ireland that centres on a failed renewable
energy (wood pellet burning) incentive
scheme that has been reported to
potentially cost the public purse almost
£500 million) has meant the suspension of
local control over policy, which has
Paragraph 3: undermined devolution for N Ireland
Suspension of Stormont - This means that local politicians, instead
of MPs in Westminster, making key
decisions on how Northern Ireland is
governed has been limited
Counter argument:
Stormont due to many different issues
and scandals have been suspended an
uncountable amount of times due to their
incompetence with their leadership. NI
short changed experience with devolution
is at the fault of NI representatives, not the
fault of the central government.
Judgement:
We can make a judgement that devolution
has not been good for Northern Ireland as
the main institution of devolved
government has been suspended for long
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