Explain and analyse how devolution impacted the UK Government. [9/9 - A*]
One way in which devolution has impacted the UK government is by raising the West
Lothian Question. This was after MPs posed the question of whether it would be fair to allow
devolved institutions represented by MPs to vote on matters that only affect the UK. This can
be seen in 2003 when the Labour government successfully passed the establishment of
foundation hospitals after 44 Scottish MPs voted in favour. However, had Scottish MPs not
voted, the Labour government would have lost by 1 vote, implying the impact that devolution
has on EU legislation, as the tyranny of the majority threatens to skew outcomes in favour
against English MPs who represent their constituents, thus limiting the representative model
S
of UK liberal democracy.
ES
Another way in which devolution has impacted the UK government is by devolving power to
local government. This can be seen in New Labour’s attempt in 1998 to introduce Regional
PR
Development Agencies which had to be scrapped after the 2004 North East Assembly
referendum in which 77% voted against the notion of a local assembly, suggesting weaker
regionalism in England. Yet, local devolution was somewhat successful in the Greater
EX
London Authority Referendum in which 72.0% voted to have an elected mayor and general
assembly, suggesting that devolution has enhanced the need for local representation in a bid
to combat the more centralised power model of Westminster.
ES
Finally, a way in which devolution has impacted the UK government is by creating
asymmetrical devolution. This is because of the varying legislation and administrative
powers spread across the devolved institutions creating a quasi-federal structure. This can
AD
be seen in the 1998 Scotland Act in which tax varying powers were set at 3% while the 2014
Scotland Act increased this to 10%. However, while Scotland had primary legislative power
and more freedom over tax variation, the same cannot be said for Wales, which has limited
R
powers as the 2014 Wales Act only allowed for small tax measures, thus representing a
clear divide between the powers of some devolved institutions over others. Therefore, this
G
created a sense of political distance from Westminster as calls for independence heightened
in light of constitutional reforms in recent years.
One way in which devolution has impacted the UK government is by raising the West
Lothian Question. This was after MPs posed the question of whether it would be fair to allow
devolved institutions represented by MPs to vote on matters that only affect the UK. This can
be seen in 2003 when the Labour government successfully passed the establishment of
foundation hospitals after 44 Scottish MPs voted in favour. However, had Scottish MPs not
voted, the Labour government would have lost by 1 vote, implying the impact that devolution
has on EU legislation, as the tyranny of the majority threatens to skew outcomes in favour
against English MPs who represent their constituents, thus limiting the representative model
S
of UK liberal democracy.
ES
Another way in which devolution has impacted the UK government is by devolving power to
local government. This can be seen in New Labour’s attempt in 1998 to introduce Regional
PR
Development Agencies which had to be scrapped after the 2004 North East Assembly
referendum in which 77% voted against the notion of a local assembly, suggesting weaker
regionalism in England. Yet, local devolution was somewhat successful in the Greater
EX
London Authority Referendum in which 72.0% voted to have an elected mayor and general
assembly, suggesting that devolution has enhanced the need for local representation in a bid
to combat the more centralised power model of Westminster.
ES
Finally, a way in which devolution has impacted the UK government is by creating
asymmetrical devolution. This is because of the varying legislation and administrative
powers spread across the devolved institutions creating a quasi-federal structure. This can
AD
be seen in the 1998 Scotland Act in which tax varying powers were set at 3% while the 2014
Scotland Act increased this to 10%. However, while Scotland had primary legislative power
and more freedom over tax variation, the same cannot be said for Wales, which has limited
R
powers as the 2014 Wales Act only allowed for small tax measures, thus representing a
clear divide between the powers of some devolved institutions over others. Therefore, this
G
created a sense of political distance from Westminster as calls for independence heightened
in light of constitutional reforms in recent years.
