Devolution

• 1997 Scotland

  • Referndum held on two issues:
  • whether a Scottish Parliament should be created (74% yes)
  • whether that parliament should have tax varying powers (63% yes)
  • Turnout 60%
• 1998 Scotland

  • Scotland Act provides for a Scottish government to be set up with primary legislative powers and a range of devolved powers including education, heath, justice, tax, elections to Scottish government and agriculture
• 2014 Scotland

  • Referendum held in Scotland on whether Scotland should become an independent country
  • 55% yes
  • Turnout 85%
  • 16/17 year olds were allowed to vote
• 2016 Scotland

  • Referenum held UK wide on brexit
  • In Scotland the turnout was 67% with 62% voting to remain in the EU
  • Increased Scottish nationalism
• 2022 Scotland

  • First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that Scotland would have a second referendum without the UKs approval
  • Denied by the supreme court
• Scottish policy decisions that differ from UK

  • Banned smoking in public places in 2006, a year before the UK did
  • In its covid response, Scotland has levels 1-4, where England had 5 levels
  • Scotland has a seperate education and exam system, with free tuition fees for Scottish citizens at Scottish universities
• 1997 Wales

  • Referendum held in Wales on whether Wales should have a national assembly with secondary legislative powers
  • 50.3% yes
  • Turnout 50%
• 1998 Wales

  • Government of Wales Act sets up a National Assembly with conferred powers and secondary legislative powers