Devolution – 28/9/22
An English Parliament?
There was little public and major political party support. On the other hand, there is a
definitive sense of ‘Englishness’ with Brexit coming into play, but it never translated into
demands for independence. ‘English votes for English laws were enough for MPs to be
satisfied with the inner workings of the parliamentary union.
Devolution in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Power sharing agreements – where the countries received devolved powers but remain in
the United Kingdom and continued to be supported by it. However, Westminster retains
‘reserved powers’ which include defence, foreign policy, constitutional matters, welfare
benefits and important areas of economic policy, trade and the currency and interest rates.
Scottish Parliament and government
Created in Edinburgh in 1999, 129 members of the Scottish parliament who are elected
every 4 years by the additional member system and they scrutinize the work of the Scottish
government. They also Devises and implements policy on matters devolved to Scotland and
proposes an annual budget to Westminster. The largest party in the parliament is SNP.
Devolution to Scotland
Tourism, sport and culture
Fire and Police services
Local government
Justice
Housing
Environment and planning
Agriculture, fisheries, and forestry
Education
Health and human services
Economic development
Some aspects of transport policy.
Welsh Assembly and government
Established in 1999 and based in Cardiff with 60 Assembly Members (AM) elected through
the Additional Members System. Their role is to represent the Welsh people, make laws on
the areas devolved to Wales and to hold the Welsh government to account. The
government is headed by a first minster Carwyn Jones from 2009 and then latterly Mark
Drakeford since 2018.
Devolution to Wales
Culture, including the Welsh language and Sport.
Housing
Agriculture, fisheries and forestry
Health
Fire and rescue services
Education and training
An English Parliament?
There was little public and major political party support. On the other hand, there is a
definitive sense of ‘Englishness’ with Brexit coming into play, but it never translated into
demands for independence. ‘English votes for English laws were enough for MPs to be
satisfied with the inner workings of the parliamentary union.
Devolution in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Power sharing agreements – where the countries received devolved powers but remain in
the United Kingdom and continued to be supported by it. However, Westminster retains
‘reserved powers’ which include defence, foreign policy, constitutional matters, welfare
benefits and important areas of economic policy, trade and the currency and interest rates.
Scottish Parliament and government
Created in Edinburgh in 1999, 129 members of the Scottish parliament who are elected
every 4 years by the additional member system and they scrutinize the work of the Scottish
government. They also Devises and implements policy on matters devolved to Scotland and
proposes an annual budget to Westminster. The largest party in the parliament is SNP.
Devolution to Scotland
Tourism, sport and culture
Fire and Police services
Local government
Justice
Housing
Environment and planning
Agriculture, fisheries, and forestry
Education
Health and human services
Economic development
Some aspects of transport policy.
Welsh Assembly and government
Established in 1999 and based in Cardiff with 60 Assembly Members (AM) elected through
the Additional Members System. Their role is to represent the Welsh people, make laws on
the areas devolved to Wales and to hold the Welsh government to account. The
government is headed by a first minster Carwyn Jones from 2009 and then latterly Mark
Drakeford since 2018.
Devolution to Wales
Culture, including the Welsh language and Sport.
Housing
Agriculture, fisheries and forestry
Health
Fire and rescue services
Education and training
