Politics and Power in Scotland and Wales from 1966 to 1999 ? The Devolution

Résumé du document

Since 1997 and New Labour's landslide victory, there has been a flurry of legislation in the UK, eg with relation to the House of Lords, party funding and freedom of information, in an attempt to change and modernize the institutions of the country. What is known as devolution? Devolution means deputing or delegating of power or authority. Devolution is different from federalism, which is a constitutional settlement in which power is not devolved by the centre to the periphery (with, again, the centre remaining ultimately the locus of supreme power), but shared between two entities, as in America, Australia or Germany.

Extraits

[...] Some thought devolution to Scotland and Wales was absolutely necessary; others insisted it should also be introduced in England; yet others advised against any form of constitutional change. They actually differed on the interpretation of the wide-ranging terms of reference given to the Commission. The main Report was more about devolution as such (i.e. special treatment on the grounds of nationhood see below), while the Memorandum of Dissent, one of whose signatories was Prof. Peacock, produced a comprehensive scheme for constitutional reform (eg devolution also to the English regions in the name of justice, but also reform of the political parties and Parliament) and recommended federal government. [...]

[...] / 1999-2001) Helen LIDDELL (Lab. / 2001-2003) Alistair DARLING (Lab. / 2003-2006) Douglas ALEXANDER (Lab. / 2006- ) Secretaries of State for Wales: From 1966, almost the whole of Scotland was designated a development area. The same in Wales, when eg the Royal Mint and its 1,400 jobs were moved in 1965 from London to Llantrisant. In 1969, the principality also received an unprecedented million in various kinds of aid. [...]

[...] ) Together we have made a unique mark on history. Together we hold a special place in international affairs. To break up the Union now would diminish our influence for good in the world ( . The Union has brought us strength both economically and politically. Yet it has preserved the historic and cultural diversity of our islands. ( . ) We will fight to preserve the Union.' It also insisted that ‘Scotland has achieved an economic and cultural regeneration over the past thirteen years. ( . [...]

[...] It was therefore decided (1894) to set up a special committee, the Scottish Grand Committee, consisting of all Scottish MPs plus 15 others, to relieve the House of Commons of this burden, examine all bills (second reading debates) that had to do with Scotland (and the budget for the newly-created Scottish Office see below). This served to separate Scottish legislation and administration from non-Scottish MPs. There was then already a Scottish subsystem in the Commons; devolution has transferred it to Edinburgh and placed it under direct electoral control. A Select Committee on Scottish Affairs was also established in 1979 to scrutinize government departments. Besides, Scottish MPs have long been a distinct group in the House of Commons while, by 1974, Scottish seats were being reserved for Scots. [...]

[...] However, the report was not debated, except briefly, until 3-4 February 1975, i.e. after the 1974 general elections had brought the matter of devolution forcibly on to the agenda. Indeed, the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East had just taken place and posed a very serious threat to Britain's oil supplies. In fact, neither Labour nor the Conservatives in their manifestos for the February 1974 election made any proposals for devolution. The members of the Commission were divided on the issue. [...]