etv devolution has been a succuess

paragraph themes

democracy

stability of uk union

innovative policy

p1. democracy

succuess: led to enhanced participation. ams (scot) stv more proportionate- wider range of voter choice. votes at 16 scotland 2014, wales 2020. multi member constituencies + regions-devolution creating pluralist democracy

limits: low turnout”second tier elections” -welsh elections never recieved 50%-only 1 in scotland achieved over 60. blurred lines of accountability bc multi member constituencies. wales-lab in pwr nearly 30 years- not genuine multi party system.

p2 stability of uk union

succuess: stabilised pol in n.ireland and reduced separatism in scotland. scot-solved discconnect btw scottish voters and westminster. 2014 independence ref 55% voted no. n.ire: helped cement peace process in 1990s good friday agreement ended sectarian violence over 3000 killed eg bomb in omagh killing 29 in 1998.

limits: devolution counter productive to stability of union. polls show support for scottish independence hover around 50%. 2016 eu ref reignited scot nationalism they voted 60% remain. SNPlargest dominant party in scot parliament since 2007. n.ire parliament suspended 2007-broke down 2017-2020 w increase in violence eg lyra mckee shot dead in london derry in 2019.

p3 innovative policy

succuesses: lead way on several issues. scot enacted @ 300 pieces of primary legislation in last 20 yrs. 2006 ban on smoking in public places adopted by other parts of uk. wales opt out system for organ donation adopted by england in 2020. almost all govs in scot or wales r coalitions or minority- seek compromise w rival parties to pass agenda. contrast westminster adversarial style

limits: divergence cause confusion + budget defecits all regions dependent on westminster subsidies eg scot free tuition fees led to dependency on foreign students costs scotish gov 900m per year. free prescriptions = 600m black hole. diff approaches to covid led to confusion for pub + uneven econ impacts.