To what extent is further devolution required?

Question 1

LoA

Answer 1

further devolution is needed

Question 2

para 1 theme

Answer 2

England

Question 3

para 2 theme

Answer 3

regions

Question 4

para 3 theme

Answer 4

federalism

Question 5

para 1 - England

Answer 5

• It would provide a solution to the West Lothian question. This asks whether Scottish, Welsh or N. Irish MPs have the same right to vote at Westminster as English MPs on matters concerning England, while English MPs cannot vote on matters affecting only the devolved assemblies.
  
  • England is the largest and most prosperous part of the UK, but it is the only nation without a devolved body. Under the current system, England receives less money per person than the others parts of the UK. Currently, under the Barnett formula, England receives less funding from UK taxes per capita than other UK regions. This could be addressed by having a devolved English Parliament
    EVEL during its time in use did not resolve the West Lothian question and makes Scottish MPs second-class representatives at Westminster, weakening the unity of the UK.

Question 6

para 1 - however

Answer 6

• It would result in even more asymmetric arrangements that are unbalanced. In the UK, devolved powers differ sharply between territories - Scotland has the most devolved powers and England has the least.
  
  • There is little public support for an English Parliament and the idea is not supported by any major political party, demonstrated by a strong no vote for a proposed North East Assembly.
  • If an English Parliament was introduced, the role and significance of the UK Parliament would be much reduced, leading to questions over the location of sovereignty
  • EVEL can be seen as the having resolved the West Lothian question and has been used in Westminster to pass English only legislation. From its use up to 2021, it enabled parliament to allow for English specific legislation without external interference.

Question 7

para 1 - rebuttal

Answer 7

Given the removal of EVEL in 2021, the west Lothian question is still important today and the question of English only parliament remains ever present in society.

Question 8

para 2 - regions

Answer 8

• Devolution has been successful and is now accepted by the vast majority of people in those regions
  
  • It would provide stronger regional identity in parts of the UK. Some parts of the UK have a vert strong identity and would want the ability to make more decision for their regions locally. For example, Devon and Cornwall.
  • In fact, It may make the break-up of the UK less likely- regions such as Scotland will be given more control over their own affairs so may be less inclined to wish to achieve full independence. This could therefore maintain the unity of the UK which appears to be desirable for parliament

Question 9

para 2 - however

Answer 9

• Many areas of England don’t have a strong local identity, seeing themselves as English or even British.
  Giving regional governments more powers may actually accelerate demands for independence- if these regions are effectively controlling all of their legislation, they may wish to become formally separate to reflect this. The demands of the SNP for Scottish independence have not been dimmed by the creation of, and accumulation of powers of the Scottish Parliament. Despite continued devolution to Scotland, they still demanded Scottish independence in 2015.

Question 10

para 2 - rebuttal

Answer 10

The fact is that despite devolution, there seems to not have been an appetite for independent nations suggesting that devolution would not create this appetite. 55% voted in favour of remaining in the UK in Scottish independence. Furthermore, Wales has not demanded independence.

Question 11

para 3 - federalism

Answer 11

• It would facilitate a more federal model of government.
  
  • It would further address the problem of over-centralisation of power in the UK Parliament. Parliament decides nearly everything for all areas of the UK, especially England and does not allow for regional differences. For example, Westminster would impose Tier 4 restrictions on Manchester despite mayor Andy Burnham arguing that it was not for them to decide.
    If they removed this power of parliament, these regions would have an amount of autonomy and would be able to decide on their own issues

Question 12

para 3 - however

Answer 12

• England would dominate a federal assembly with its relationship with Westminster would be complicated. It could complicate the relationship between the regions and Parliament.
  
  • If an English Parliament was introduced, the role and significance of the UK Parliament would be much reduced, leading to questions over the location of sovereignty. It could seriously complicate who retains sovereignty, and who is the main legislative body and could over complicate the process. This is seen by the difficulty found in the US over states rights vs federal government, such as found over rules over marijuana.

Question 13

para 3 - rebuttal

Answer 13

The federal form of government would simply be more fair for these regional areas which have found themselves requiring more autonomy. It is unfair for the PM in Westminster to decide what is best for regions like Manchester and Cornwall