Review the varieties of devolution in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and define plans for devolution in the English regions

Résumé du document

The United Kingdom, created by Acts of Parliament, is a union composed by four nations: Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England. Until the 1960s, the United Kingdom (UK) was labeled as a "unitary state". All the powers were delivered by a sovereign Parliament at Westminster. The apparition of territorial-based national identities led leaders to recognize the necessity to give more autonomy to individual regions. As a consequence of the regional demands and increasing nationalist's tensions, the 1997 manifesto led to the introduction of a devolved form of government in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. Devolution was defined by Bogdanor as: "the transfer of functions to a subordinate elected body (on a geographic basis) that is presently exercised by the ministers and Parliament". Since the 19th century several attempts to provide Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales with legislative autonomy have existed. Devolution is different from federalism, which is the division of powers between Westminster and regional parliaments.

Extraits

[...] Consequently, what are the varieties of devolution in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and which plans have been defined for the devolution of English regions? The three legislations, The Scotland Act 1998, The Government of Wales Act 1998, and The Northern Ireland Act 1998, define differing degrees of devolution of powers for each region. While Scotland and Northern Ireland are experiencing what could be called a “traditional” form of devolved government with legislative and executive powers, Wales experience a more limited devolution, with no primary legislation authority. [...]

[...] They work on further economic development and regeneration, business efficiency, employment, and inward investment. They are accountable to ministers and Parliament. The Spending Review 2000 contained proposals to extend their financial flexibility. There are also Regional chambers which are voluntary organizations of local government councillors and other representatives of a region's economy, society, and environment. They are intended to scrutinize and advise the Regional Development Agencies. Their role is to participate to the regional planning process and representing regions in conflict with central government. [...]

[...] After the defeat of plans for a regional assembly in the North East of England in 2004, Tony Blair's Labour Government has decided to abandon plans for English devolution. The creation of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly, alongside the U.K. Parliament are challenges to the definition of sovereignty. However, devolution is not separation and it has been made clear that Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland would remain within the UK. Westminster is totally sovereign over devolved assemblies. Regional administrations that existed in these regions have been replaced by a greater degree of territorial self determination. [...]

[...] British governments legislated for devolution in and 1982. It is the announcement of a ceasefire in 1994 by the IRA which marked an advance: it allowed the representation of Sinn Féin in parties' talks, which ended in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The Northern Ireland Assembly was established as part of the Good Friday Agreement as the prime source of authority for all devolved responsibilities. Northern Ireland assembly is made up of 108 members elected by a single transferable vote based on the existing Westminster constituencies in NI. [...]

[...] In the same way, a British Irish council has been established to promote harmonious relationships between the north, the south and the mainland. NI model of devolution allows British and Irish identities to be respected. In spite of the devolution of powers, the constitution insists that NI remains part of the UK. For key decisions, cross-community is required, either by parallel consent or weighted majority. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister are elected by the Assembly and cannot be removed by the Assembly. [...]