Devolution

Delegation

Transfer of some key powers from the center to regions

Federalism

Transference of power between central and regional governments

Quasi federal

UK's transition from unitary to quasi federal since 1997

Northern Ireland Exception

An exception due to aiding peace efforts in the region

English Local Government

Reshaped and controlled by Whitehall

Central Government

Lacks primary powers under central government

Regional Assemblies

Hold higher attraction and support for an English parliament

Law Variations

Differences in laws due to devolution

Pressure Groups

Lobbying targets influenced by devolution

Voting Systems

Differ in impact across devolved regions

Coalition Governments

Increase in coalition, multiparty, and minority governments in devolved regions

Devolution History

Not entirely new, with Northern Ireland and Scotland having prior devolved powers

Scottish Parliament

Established after 1997 referendum, meets in 'Holyrood'

Welsh Assembly

Established in Wales after 1997 referendum, known as Senedd

Northern Ireland Assembly

Established in Northern Ireland after 1998 referendum

Reserved Powers

Matters retained by Westminster, not devolved to regions

Tony Blair's Devolution

Part of Blair's constitutional changes program, extended powers

Big Centralized Government

Blair's comment on the end of centralized government era

Devolution Definition

Delegation of governmental powers to regions, excluding trade, defense, and foreign policy

SNP Majority

SNP won majority in Scottish Parliament in 2011

British Constitution

Unitary with elements of federalism

Asymmetry

Lack of balance in devolution system, applies partially in the UK

West Lothian Question

Non-English MPs voting on English matters, English MPs cannot vote on Non-English matters

Synoptic Link

Connection between devolution and constitutional changes since 1997

Alternative Voting

Method leading to minority executives formation

EVEL

Recent addition to UK parliament's legislative procedures, introduced in 2015

Primary Legislation

Term sometimes used for legislation passed by Scottish devolved body

Scottish Variable Rate (SVR)

Allows Scotland to vary income tax by 3p

Single Transferable Vote

Electoral system used in Northern Ireland for devolved elections

Government of Wales Act 2006

Legislation granting Wales certain devolved powers

Northern Ireland Devolution

Complex devolution process amid historical violence and peace negotiations

Good Friday Agreement

Peace agreement leading to devolved government in Northern Ireland

M4 Relief Road

Proposed road project in South Wales to alleviate traffic congestion

Local Governments in England

Various structures with delegated powers, no primary legislative powers

Quasi-Federal System

UK's devolution structure with features of federal and unitary systems

Scotland Act 2016

Prevents Westminster from making devolved legislative changes without consent

Minority Executives

Result of alternative voting systems, seen in devolved regions

Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020

Legislation granting voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales

Devolved Powers

Powers granted to regions like Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from Westminster

Good Friday Agreement Prisoner Release

Part of the peace agreement allowing release of convicted terrorists

Elected Mayors

Introduced in some areas of England, met with mixed enthusiasm

English Parliament Campaign

Campaign for an English parliament in 1998 with limited support

Impact of Devolution

Shift from unitary to quasi-federal system, reducing Westminster's reach

Policy Variation

Result of devolution, leading to different policies across UK regions

Lockdown Collaboration

Decision-making at regional levels during lockdown, beyond PM's control