Devolution - advantages and disadvantages

Devolution has been good for devolved assemblies as it has enhanced…?

Enhances political participation

How has devolution in Scotland led to higher political participation?

The 2021 Scottish Parliament election saw a 63.9% turnout, significantly higher than recent UK general elections (which hover around 60%). The intense debate around Scottish independence has also energised political activism, protests, and public engagement. 

How has devolution enhanced political participation in Wales?

In the Welsh Senedd,  there has been higher levels of political participation through recent petitions on banning greyhound racing, improving mental health funding, and free school meals gaining thousands of signatures and real legislative consideration.

On the other hand, how has Welsh political participation decreased?

In 2021, turnout was only 46.6%, barely an increase from 45.3% in 2016.

Despite the Welsh Parliament gaining more powers over health, education, and income tax since 2011, many voters feel disengaged or unaware of what the Senedd actually does. There’s a lack of visibility, and often media coverage of Welsh politics is weak, with Westminster dominating the headlines.

How has participation gotten weaker in Scotland since devolution?

Scotland has also experienced falls in participation due to apathy: Scottish politics remains highly centred on independence, creating a kind of polarisation and fatigue. Many voters feel like politics is stuck in a loop, and turnout may decline again if no clear progress on independence is made.

Devolution has undermined the abilities of some regions to…?

Rule in the national interest

Give me a topic sentence arguing that devolution has undermined some regions’ abilities to rule in the national interest.

Devolution has encouraged fragmentation and competing interests, leading devolved governments to prioritise regional agendas over the UK’s collective national interest. This can result in policy divergence, inefficiency, and tension with Westminster.

What is the advantage of decentralised governance?

Decentralised governance can enhance national unity by empowering regional leaders to solve problems more effectively than a one-size-fits-all Whitehall approach ever could.

In what way can decentralised local governments in ENGLAND enhance ruling in the national interest?

METRO MAYORS: Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester) and Sadiq Khan (London) have shown leadership that supports national resilience

How has Mayor Burnham contributed to ruling in national interest?

• Burnham’s push for a locally integrated transport system (Bee Network) shows how decentralisation improves infrastructure planning and sustainability.

What did Mayor Burnham do during the pandemic?

During the pandemic, Burnham fought for fairer lockdown compensation, showing local leadership filling the gaps left by a slow central government

How has devolution in NORTHERN ISLAND enhanced ruling in the national interest?

Despite instability, the 2024 restoration of power-sharing at Stormont has allowed local parties to address long-stalled issues like public sector pay and social care reform, helping stabilise the region and contributing to UK unity.

Devolution can lead to parochial…?

Devolution can lead to parochial governance, particularly in the devolved governments of Scotland and Northern Ireland, where regional political interests override wider UK priorities, ultimately weakening the ability to rule for the collective national good.

Devolution has been good for devolved regions in the sense of producing higher levels of…?

Producing higher levels of political representation

In a general sense, how has devolution enhanced political representation in Scotland and Wales?

PROPORTIONAL electoral systems in Scotland and Wales boost fairness, diversity and political representation.

How has Scotland and Wales’ electoral system aided representation?

They both use the Additional Member System. This combines constituency and proportional representation - giving voters TWO votes, one for a local MSP and one for a party list.

Smaller parties like the Scottish Greens and Plaid Cymru get meaningful representation.

More women and minority candidates are elected due to party list systems promoting diversity.

AMS has led to multi-party…?

Multi-party governance, and a culture of consensus-building, making representation more pluralistic and reflective of society.

People are more likely to feel their vote matters, which boosts political engagement and legitimacy.

In 2026, the electoral systems in Wales will…?

Will switch to a fully proportional system in 2026

How is the electoral system in England still inadequate at ensuring political representation is upheld?

FPTP: Over-represents the major parties (like the Conservatives or Labour) and wastes votes.

In the 2019 general election, the Liberal Democrats secured 11.5% of the national vote but won just 11 seats, whereas the SNP won 3.9% of the vote and gained 48 seats. This stark disproportionality illustrates how FPTP distorts voter intention, undermines political equality, and fails to reflect the UK’s diverse political landscape

The FPTP system leads to…?

Safe seats, voter apathy and low turnout - especially in region where one party dominates. Also largely ensures the reinforcement of a two party system which arguably makes minor parties irrelevant.

Despite Northern Ireland’s STV, how can under-representation still occur?

Whilst there are six representatives per constituency, boosting representation, this comes at a price. Lines of accountability are not clear, and the proportionality of the system could lead to candidates with extremist views getting elected, which can lead to under-representation of other groups in society.