Citizenship Theme B - DEVOLUTION & CHANGING RELATIONS

DEVOLUTION

• Delegation of powers from central government to national level
• led to creation of Welsh Assembly (1999), Scottish Parliament (1999) and Northern Ireland Assembly (1998) as part of the Good Friday Agreement.
• Local parliament or national assembly can better represent the needs of their citizens
• each country will have a measure of self government

Westminster Parliament

• Despite devolution, some powers still remain with Westminster Parliament:
• Constitution, foreign affairs, defence, Civil Service, Financial/economic, immigration, drug control, trade and industry, aspects of transport, employment, energy regulation, social security, equal oppurtunities, broadcasting, ethichal and medical, international development.

Scottish Parliament

• long history of independance and high support for devolution, (74% voting yes in referendum). Scottish elections have 2 votes to elect 129 MSPs= first vote is to elect 73 candidate using FPTP (1/73 constituencies)  and then 56MSPs are elected using PR.
• Devolved powers include: Environment, agriculture, forestry, fishing, education, local gov and housing, justice and policing, health and social work, economic development, tourism, sport, heritage

Welsh Assembly - originally held fewer devolved powers as it is a smaller country than Scotland and less history of independance. Referendum was close 50.03% said yes. Welsh devolved powers similar…