"Devolution has gone far enough. It should go no further.”
Evaluate the view that devolution has gone far enough and it should go no
further
HAS GONE FAR ENOUGH:
● There has been a lack of enthusiasm for devolution in England meaning that
there is no reason for it to go further; the devolution referendum in the North
East of England in 2004 ended in a 78% against it
○ The devolved Greater London Assembly was created in 1997 to restore
regional government to London - A Mayor of London with executive
power elected after a referendum as well as the Assembly in 2000 with
powers over transport, housing etc.
○ Turnout was 40.9% in the mayoral election (2021) and __% in 2024,
showing that many people are not interested in local governance,
despite being given the opportunity to vote and being given a local
assembly.
● Wales has enough power under the Government of Wales Act 1998 that
granted powers of a Welsh national assembly with control over health, education
and has consequently more under Acts of 2014 and 2017
● Scotland has enough power - many acts have been passed such as the Scotland
Act 1998 which granted Scotland a National Parliament with powers over matters
like health, education and policing.
○ Scotland Act 2016 granted more powers widening the areas in which the
Scottish parliament can pass laws, control over business taxes etc -
resulting in some more financial autonomy.
○ Striking a balance: increased devolution may lead to the break up of the
union and Scottish independence so it can be argued that devolution has
gone far enough to give powers to Scotland but to contain them in the
union
● It has resolved peace in NI and power sharing is in place; Belfast Agreement
1998 restored devolved powers to NI and gave Stormont powers over education
administration, healthcare and transport
○ Devolution has gone far enough because of the power sharing system
meaning that there is no possibility of one single party gaining an overall
majority and taking control, all major parties are guaranteed ministerial
places, put in place to try to reduce conflict
○ This means that dev has gone far enough because it has put in a system
that works and could be disturbed if given more power/autonomy
Evaluate the view that devolution has gone far enough and it should go no
further
HAS GONE FAR ENOUGH:
● There has been a lack of enthusiasm for devolution in England meaning that
there is no reason for it to go further; the devolution referendum in the North
East of England in 2004 ended in a 78% against it
○ The devolved Greater London Assembly was created in 1997 to restore
regional government to London - A Mayor of London with executive
power elected after a referendum as well as the Assembly in 2000 with
powers over transport, housing etc.
○ Turnout was 40.9% in the mayoral election (2021) and __% in 2024,
showing that many people are not interested in local governance,
despite being given the opportunity to vote and being given a local
assembly.
● Wales has enough power under the Government of Wales Act 1998 that
granted powers of a Welsh national assembly with control over health, education
and has consequently more under Acts of 2014 and 2017
● Scotland has enough power - many acts have been passed such as the Scotland
Act 1998 which granted Scotland a National Parliament with powers over matters
like health, education and policing.
○ Scotland Act 2016 granted more powers widening the areas in which the
Scottish parliament can pass laws, control over business taxes etc -
resulting in some more financial autonomy.
○ Striking a balance: increased devolution may lead to the break up of the
union and Scottish independence so it can be argued that devolution has
gone far enough to give powers to Scotland but to contain them in the
union
● It has resolved peace in NI and power sharing is in place; Belfast Agreement
1998 restored devolved powers to NI and gave Stormont powers over education
administration, healthcare and transport
○ Devolution has gone far enough because of the power sharing system
meaning that there is no possibility of one single party gaining an overall
majority and taking control, all major parties are guaranteed ministerial
places, put in place to try to reduce conflict
○ This means that dev has gone far enough because it has put in a system
that works and could be disturbed if given more power/autonomy
