What is devolution? The process by which power in a political system is transferred from a central government to local authorities is a core topic as part of the A Level Politics course. It is similar to the system of federalism that is used in the United States, but operates in a very different way. This blog post will outline what devolution is, and how it has occurred specifically in the UK.
What is devolution in the UK?
Devolution began back in 1997, when referendums were held in Scotland and Wales, and in 1998 in Northern Ireland and London. The people in these areas were given the choice to adopt devolved government. Tony Blair, who won the general election earlier in the year, said that local issues should be decided by local people, rather than a central government in Westminster. Devolution was adopted in all four of these areas, and the UK now operates in a system of devolution.
This means that all decisions are no longer made in Westminster by the central UK government. Devolved powers are those that are transferred down from the central government to regional governments. For example, the topic of transport is a devolved issue. This means that Scotland has control over its railways through the company ScotRail, who run passenger trains.
Why does devolution matter?
One of the main benefits is the improvement to local representation. Westminster is heavily England-dominated, so decisions that the majority of people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland want to take may not be passed in Westminster. Having a dedicated parliament in, for example, Scotland means that Scottish issues can be passed more easily and with less interference from other areas of the country that aren’t affected.
It also allows for minor parties to gain control and better representation in the UK. The Scottish National Party has been in power in Scotland since 2011, but they would never get majority control of a government in Westminster as they only ever sit in 59 seats. To win a Westminster majority, you need to win 326, meaning this is unachievable. Furthermore, Plaid Cymru were in a coalition with Labour in Wales from 2007 to 2011.
Devolution is also crucial for the public, as it enhances the electorate’s choice. The Scottish and Welsh Parliaments utilise a voting method called the Additional Member System, which gives greater representation to minority parties. The Northern Ireland Assembly uses the Single Transferrable Vote, whereby a number of different parties represent a single constituency. These systems allow a higher diversity of voices to be heard, enhancing democratic choice for voters.
How does devolution differ from federalism?
As part of the A Level Politics course, you may be asked about the differences between devolution and federalism. Federalism, as in the United States, is a system where power is set between a central and state government. Each state has its own Supreme Court and Governor, meaning it can challenge the central government for power.
Devolution, on the other hand, means that some powers are reserved to the central government, such as foreign policy and national security. It can be withdrawn by a simple Act of Parliament, as the UK operates in a system of parliamentary sovereignty. This means that parliament is the highest political authority in the land.
If you want to see more about the differences between federalism and devolution, be sure to check out our USA Politics course, which has notes on the comparative elements of UK and US Politics.
Conclusion
Devolution clearly has its benefits: enhancing voter choice, providing greater party representation and allowing for more effective decision-making. However, it isn’t a perfect system, and has clear distinctions from federalism.
Be sure to check out Study Politics’ course on UK Government to understand more about how devolution operates in the UK.
