Evaluate The View That Devolution Has Been A Success. (30)

AGREE Allowed for greater democracy and more effective local representation

SNP - free prescription charges, free tuition fees

LON (khan) FSM for all primary school students in LON

Strengthens regional identity and accountability.

AGREE Test policies

Wales opt out of organ donation, England followed

Improve lives and help shape wider UK policy

AGREE Devolved bodies are elected using PR systems

Scot + Wales: AMS

NI: STV

Scotish parliamentary election 2021:

SNP 48% of the vote. 50% of seats.
CON 22% of the vote. 24% of seats.

Greater voter choice, more representative parties and doesn't enforce 2 party system

AGREE Helped create peace in Northern Ireland.

Devolution was one of the main features of the good Friday agreement - created the NI assembly and help end decades of conflict

Reduced violence and led to stability

DISAGREE Turnout in elections is generally low

2021 Scot parliament elections: 63.5%

2024 Manchester mayoral election: 32%

2024 London mayoral election: 40.5%

Weak democratic mandate to make decisions

DISAGREE Power isn't shared equally amongst the devolved bodies - different powers and policies for different parts of the UK

Scot and NI control policing. Policing in Wales and Eng controlled by UK parliament.

Eng no parliament

Could lead to tensions + majority of UK unrepresented

DISAGREE Brexit -> tensions within devolved nations

NI - trade and border problems as still partly in the EU

Scotland wanted to rejoin EU - increased the desire for independence 2014.

scot indy referendum 55% in favour of the union.

Risks to unity that devolution hasn't resolved.