AQA A Level Politics Devolution
what is devolution? - Answer-The transfer of political power, but not sovereignty,
from central government to subnational government
why is the Scottish parliament the most powerful of the devolved institutions? -
Answer-it has primary legislative powers (authority to make laws on devolved policy
areas). also for tax raising powers.
What are the numbers of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament and how are they
selected? - Answer-129 MSPs elected by AMS
- 73 MSPs elected in single member constituencies using FPTP
- 56 MSPs elected using regional lists of PR, 7 members in eight multi member
regions.
what did the Scotland Act 1998 do? - Answer-Gave Scottish Parliament primary
legislative powers in a range of policy areas, including law and order, health,
education, transport etc. Westminster no longer makes laws for Scotland on these
matters.
also gave tax varying powers - could raise or lower the rate of income tax up by 3%
what are primary legislative powers? - Answer-Authority to make laws on devolved
policy areas
what are the major powers of scotland? - Answer-tax - income tax rates and bands,
landfill tax, stamp duty etc
health and social policy - health service, social service, abortion law
environment etc - env, housing, local government, transport
education and culture - sport, primary and secondary education alongside uni
education, tourism
law and home affairs - justice, police, elections
what was the 2014 independence referendum? - Answer-Yes Scotland campaign
fronted by the SNP, argued that people of Scotland were best placed to make
decisions that affect scotland.
SNP vision - independent scotland part of a personal union within the UK. Have own
written constitution and full responsibility for welfare, foreign and defence policy
pro union campaign supported by labour, the conservatives and the Lib Dems.
Argued that scotland enjoyed devolution as well as economic, political and cultural
benefits of the union. Independence would damage scottish economy
results was a 55%. no vote. but 1.6 million voters 45% supported independence.
High turnout at 84.5%
, what did the Scotland Act 2016 do? - Answer-in the final stages of the referendum
campaign, leaders of main UK parties issued a vow to deliver further devolution in
event of a no vote. Result was the SA 2016. powers:
- power to set income tax rates and bands
- right to receive 50% of the VAT raised in Scotland
- control over certain welfare benefits e.g., housing element of Universal Credit
- road signs, oil extraction (e.g. fracking)
- franchise (who has right to vote) for Scottish parliament elections (subject to 2/3rds
majority support in the parliament)
Scottish parliament has greater powers than subnational govt in many other
European states
how is the Welsh assembly elected - Answer-60 members elected by AMS:
- 40 elected in single-member constituencies using the FPTP system
- 20 members elected in 5 multi member regions using regional lists system of
proportional representation
what are the powers of the Welsh assembly? - Answer-expanded since creation but
not as extensive as Scottish Parliament.
Primary Legislative powers, and under Wales act 2017, moved to a system of
reserved powers similar tot hat in Scotland
assembly only originally had executive and secondary powers which meant it
determined how to implement legislation that had been passed by Westminster
what are the major powers of the Welsh assembly? - Answer-tax: welsh rate of
income tax, stamp duty, landfill tax
health and social: health and social services
env: env, housing, local govt, transport
eductation: prim/sec edu, uni edu, sport, tourism
law: elections
what is the government of Wales Act 2006 - Answer-GOWA 2006 - enabled the
assembly to ask for further powers to be transferred from Westminster, and allowed
it to gain primary legislative powers if approved in a referendum
what is the 2011 Welsh referendum? - Answer-resulted in a 64% yes vote. confirmed
that devolution is the preferred constitutional option for Welsh voters
following the referendum, assembly gained power to make primary legislation in
existing 20 devolved areas.
what is the Silk Commission report? - Answer-With the Scottish parliament gaining
new powers, the Cons-Lib dem coalition established silk commission to consider
case for transfer of further power to welsh assembly.
what is the wales act 2014 and 2017 linking to silk commission report? - Answer-
2014 - put into place the first tranche of silk proposals by devolving control of landfill
tax and stamp duty.
