Was devolution successful + examples

Devolution has lead to better public services

• he Scottish Government, has prioritized social welfare policies and public services

• While prescription charges are £8.40 in England - free in devolved Scotland, Wales and Northern island

• Free long term personal care for elderly in scotland and free tuition fees for university students

• Free hospital parking Scotland and Wales

Successful experiments by devolved bodies have been copied across the whole of the UK

• e.g. 2006 Scotland banned smoking in enclosed work places - later in 2007 adopted by the rest of the UK

• e.g. 2007 Wales introduced the 5p carrier bag charge - to better protect environment - took England 2016 to implement this

• Devolved bodies are more innovative and better at creating legislature

Been little change in public services in devolved countries

• Martin Sine “there has been little reform of public services this decade.” Been a decline in education of maths, literacy and science

Not successful - quasi federal

• UK is neither unitary meaning - fully controlled by government or federal where governments share powers.

• Asymmetrical distribution + unfairness. Can Create confusion about which level of government is accountable for specific policies and services.

• he UK lacks a codified constitution, making the division of powers between the central and regional governments less clear-cut - uncertainty

Devolution enabled a variety of electoral systems

• Devolved countries use a variety of proportional electoral systems, making it harder for a single party to win a majority.

• Makes politics less adversarial, with government being less focused on getting votes and implementing policies in the interest of the wider public e.g. voting age of 16 Devolved governments more collaborative open and responsive to public opinion

• E.g. Scotland and wales use AMS Northern ireland uses STV - more representative than first past the post - where only two parties form majorities

• E.g. 3 minority governments, and 3 coalitions in Scotland

• E.g. 3 minority governments and 3 coalitions in Wales

No english parliament

• As there is no english parliament - asymmetry and unfairness the west lothian question is left unanswered, “Why should Scottish MPs be able to vote on matters affecting only England but English MPs cannot vote on equivalent matters?”

• However this was solved in EVEL implemented by David Cameron in 2015, but this system failed

• Having a complicated legislative process adding layers of confusion, leading to delays misunderstandings and prolonged parliamentary efficiency.

• labelled as a “utter humiliation” for the UK by Pete Wishart

Why english parliament is a weak argument

• England has 85% of the UK population so this would lead to an unbalanced federal system with more asymmetry then there was to begin with

Devolution has fueled nationalist sentiments

• Devolution has stimulated demands for further separation. This shown by the Scottish referendum were Scotland only voted to stay within the UK by a narrow margin of less than 10% and subsequent reforms have offered Scotland even more powers like tax varying powers, which will surely push it closer to outright independence and away from the rest of the UK

• This can undermine the sense of a unified national identity and purpose.