Evaluate the view that the UK is now effectively a federal system.

Argument 1 against my point

• Significant legislative powers have been granted to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, and Northern Ireland Assembly.

• Devolved governments manage education, health, transportation, and more.

Evidence 1 against my point

• Scotland provides free uni. education for its residents, unlike England, where students pay tuition fees.

• NI has its own approach to dealing with the legacy of the Troubles.

Argument 1 for my point

• Devolution is uneven, with different powers granted to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, unlike the equal powers seen in federal systems.

Evidence 1 for my point

• Scotland has greater legislative powers compared to Wales, which initially had only secondary legislative powers until the Govt. of Wales Act 2006 expanded them.

• E.g. Scotland has control over justice and policing, while Wales does not.

• Scotland Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2021

Argument 2 against my point

• Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales (to a lesser extent) have their own legal systems and judicial frameworks.

• Scotland operates independently from England and Wales in legal matters.

Evidence 2 against my point

• Scotland’s legal system is separate from that of England and Wales.

• For example, Scotland has its own laws on criminal justice and family law, such as the different age of criminal responsibility (12 in Scotland vs. 10 in England and Wales).

Argument 2 for my point

• The UK Parliament retains ultimate sovereignty and can theoretically amend or revoke devolution arrangements, unlike federal systems where regional autonomy is constitutionally protected.

Evidence 2 for my point

• The UK Parliament retains the power to legislate on devolved matters.

• E.g. the Internal Market Act 2020 was passed by Westminster despite opposition from devolved governments, emphasising Parliament's ultimate authority.

• Blocking of Scottish Gender Recognition Bill

Argument 3 against my point

• The devolved administration doesn’t have legal sovereignty, but they do have quasi-sovereignty meaning that power allocated is unlikely to ever return to Westminster as Parliament would face public outcry

Evidence 3 against my point

• This is especially apparent after the Scottish Referendum (2014) where the powers of Scottish Parliament were extended.

• Continued calls for Scottish Independence

Argument 3 for my point

• Considering the UK constitution is not codified, the decentralisation of powers to devolved bodies can be revoked at any time by Parliament

• Although this is not likely to occur, this is still against the federal state structure whereby devolved bodies are permanently guaranteed power by an entrenched & codified constitution

Evidence 3 for my point

• The NI Assembly has been suspended multiple times since its establishment under the Good Friday Agreement. E.g. the Assembly was suspended 2002-2007 and again 2017-2020 due to political disagreements & inability to form a govt.

• There is suggestion that the NI Assembly could revert back to direct rule as a result of a collapsed govt. and threats from Parliament to change this; although unlikely to occur, this is still a possibility in times of crisis.