devolution

• Introduced by Blair in 1998
• Scotland and Wales use the additional member system whereas Northern Ireland uses the single transferable vote
• Scotland Acts

  1998 - primary legislation such as law and order, health, education, transport and the environment

  2012 - tax raising powers, could raise or lower income tax by up to 10p

  2016 - equal opportunity and abortion laws, make its own laws regarding who could vote in election
• the Scottish parliament has passed over 300 pieces of legislation
• Key Legislation for Wales

  Gov of Wales Act 1998 - secondary legislation, agriculture, education and housing

  Gov of Wales Act 2006 - gain primary legislation powers if approved by a referendum

  2011 Referendum - primary legislation in 20 devolved areas of policy, health and transport

  Wales Act 2014 - start of some tax-raising powers

  Wales Act 2017 - more primary legislation including control over their electoral system
• Westminsters Reserved Matters - primarily defence, foreign affairs, trade and immigration
• Positives

  • Allows for regional political differences, a more left-leaning Scotland, has higher taxes on the rich
  • Strengthened union between nations, they have control over domestic areas but benefit from defence and international trade
  • Popular with voters
  • Allows for a variety of electoral systems
  • Nations can use legislation from the other nations e.g. Scotland's 2006 decision to ban smoking in enclosed spaces was then extended to all the other nations
• Negatives

  • Inequality in costs of public services e.g. uni tuition is free in Scotland but not in England
  • Encouraged demands for further separation and full independence, therefore weakening the unity of the UK, the SNP called for a second independence referendum
  • Cross-party working in Northern Ireland often leads to gridlock