AQA Politics 3.1.1.5: Devolution

Devolution

The transfer of executive and legislative powers from the UK Parliament to subnational assemblies and governments.

Asymmetry in Devolution

Refers to the varying levels of power and authority among devolved governments in the UK.

De Jure Sovereignty

Legal sovereignty retained by Westminster, allowing it to theoretically amend or abolish devolved institutions.

De Facto Sovereignty

Political reality that limits Westminster's ability to dismantle devolved governments without democratic consent.

Statutory Powers

Powers granted through Acts of Parliament, as opposed to being enshrined in a constitution.

Reserved Powers

Issues retained solely by the UK Parliament, such as foreign affairs and national security.

Scottish Parliament

The devolved legislature for Scotland responsible for various policy areas including education and health.

Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru)

The devolved legislature for Wales with primary legislative powers in designated areas.

Northern Ireland Assembly

The devolved legislature of Northern Ireland designed with power-sharing arrangements to ensure representation.

Sewel Convention

A constitutional convention stating Westminster will not legislate on devolved matters without consent from devolved legislatures.

Barnett Formula

A system for determining public spending allocations for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland based on changes in England.

Good Friday Agreement

The 1998 agreement aimed at establishing peace in Northern Ireland and creating a devolved government.

Metro Mayors

Elected officials responsible for overseeing combined local authorities in English regions, introduced to enhance local governance.

English Votes for English Laws (EVEL)

A system implemented to address the West Lothian Question, allowing English MPs a greater say on England-only legislation.

Power-sharing

A governance arrangement in Northern Ireland where political power is shared between Unionist and Nationalist parties.

Prescriptive Tax Powers

The ability of devolved parliaments to set rates for specific taxes, such as income tax or stamp duty.

Policy Divergence

Variations in policy outcomes and laws among devolved administrations, leading to different rights and responsibilities.

Legislative Competence Orders (LCOs)

Mechanisms that allow the Welsh Assembly to gain legislative powers subject to Westminster approval.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and change in policy.

Scotland Act 1998

Legislation that established the Scottish Parliament, granting it primary legislative and tax-varying powers.

Scotland Act 2012

An act that extended the powers of the Scottish Parliament, allowing it to set its own rate of income tax.

Scotland Act 2016

Legislation that further devolved powers to Scotland, including control over income tax and welfare benefits.

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

A proportional voting system used in Northern Ireland Assembly elections to ensure representation for multiple parties.

Hybrid Electoral System

Electoral system combining elements of both first-past-the-post and proportional representation.

Committee for the Administration of Justice

An organization that monitors the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in terms of justice and equality.

Coalition Government

A government formed by multiple political parties cooperating, typically after no single party gains a majority.

Constitutional Convention

An unwritten guideline that influences political practices and procedures within the UK.

Devolution Referendum

A public vote held to determine whether a region should gain devolved powers.

Instability in Devolved Governments

Frequent suspensions or collapses of devolved administrations often due to political disagreement.

Balkanization

The fragmentation of a region into smaller, often hostile, entities, relating to concerns of the UK's unity.

Grey Area of Devolution

Matters where responsibility between Westminster and devolved governments is unclear or disputed.

Transitional Model of Devolution

An evolving system where powers are gradually transferred to devolved administrations.

Devolved Legislatures

Assemblies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland that have varying degrees of legislative power.

Reserved Matters

Areas of governance that remain the responsibility of the UK Parliament, typically relating to national issues.

Broad Legislative Powers

The authority of devolved governments to legislate across various policy areas, diverging from Westminster's choices.

Political Representation

The relationship between constituents and their elected representatives in devolved governments.

Electoral Math,

The statistical representation of various parties' victories and seats within the devolved assemblies.

Constituency Assembly Model

A structure in which representatives are elected to serve in a governing body, as seen in devolved governments.

Devolution Disparities

Inequalities across devolved regions in terms of funding and resources allocated by the central government.

Direct Rule

Imposition of UK government rule over Northern Ireland when the devolved government collapses or is suspended.

Local Governance

The management of public policies and administration at a regional or local level within devolved regions.

Cross-Community Consent

A requirement in Northern Ireland for certain legislation to receive support from both Unionist and Nationalist representatives.

Direct Democracy

A form of political participation where citizens directly vote on policy issues or laws.

Direct Alliance Model

A coalition of political parties within a devolved government that ensures representation of major community interests.

Capacity and Autonomy

The extent to which devolved governments can act independently and manage their own affairs.

Eligibility for Devolution

The criteria and process through which regions can pursue and achieve devolved status or powers.

Policy Laboratory

A term describing devolved areas testing public policy solutions that could be adopted nationwide.

Democratic Contestation

The process of challenging political decisions and policies through legitimate democratic means.

Infrastructure Policy Differences

Varied approaches to transport and public infrastructure development between devolved regions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Working together across governmental and organizational boundaries to achieve common goals.

Inter-Governmental Relations

The relationships and interactions between the UK central government and devolved administrations.

Statute Law

Laws enacted by a legislative body, as opposed to constitutional or customary law.

Political Autonomy

The right and ability of a government or region to govern itself without external interference.

Civic Engagement

The participation of citizens in the political process, including voting and community organizing.

Referenda Annex

Additional inquiries or referendums to gauge public opinion on legislative changes in devolved regions.

Criminal Justice Powers

The legislative competencies allocated to devolved governments concerning law enforcement and judicial procedures.

Diversity in Governance

The inclusion of multiple perspectives, especially minority views, in the political decision-making process.

Sovereignty Debate

Discussions around the nature and extent of power held by the UK Parliament versus devolved administrations.

Local Electoral Bodies

Institutions for regulating local elections and ensuring they meet democratic standards.

Legislative Feedback Loop

The ongoing process of how local governments adapt policies based on citizen feedback.

Political Independence

The state in which a region or government has full control over its legislative and executive affairs.

Intra-Party Dynamics

Interactions and power relationships within political parties that can influence governance.

Public Services Variance

Differences in the delivery and quality of public services across devolved regions.

Constitutional Reform,

Changes made to the constitutional structure of governance, particularly related to devolution.

Political Representation Models

Frameworks that determine how different political interests are represented in government.

Legislative Assembly

A governing body composed of elected representatives who have the authority to create laws.

External Influence on Devolution

How external factors, such as societal trends or international relations, impact the nature of devolution.

Localism Movement

A political approach that emphasizes local decision-making and provides citizens control over their futures.

Regional Inequality

Economic and social disparities between different areas of the country, often exacerbated by devolution.

Voter Turnout Trends

Statistical patterns regarding voter participation in elections across devolved agencies.

Social Policy Diversity

The varying approaches to social issues, such as healthcare and education, across devolved regions.

Federal Models

Governance systems where powers are divided between national and regional authorities.

Constitutional Constraints

Legal limitations imposed on government authority specified within constitutional documents.

Devolution's Impact on National Identity

The influence that devolved governments and policies have on regional and national identities.