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AQA A Level Politics Devolution Exam
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AQA A Level Politics Devolution Exam
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AQA A Level Politics DevolutionExam
what is devolution?
The transfer of political power, but not sovereignty, from central
government to subnational government
why is the Scottish parliament the most powerful of the devolved
institutions?
it has primary legislative powers (authority to make laws on
devolved policy areas). also for tax raising powers.
What are the numbers of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament and
how are they selected?
129 MSPs elected by AMS
- 73 MSPs elected in single member constituencies using FPTP
- 56 MSPs elected using regional lists of PR, 7 members in eight
multi member regions.
what did the Scotland Act 1998 do?
Gave Scottish Parliament primary legislative powers in a range of
policy areas, including law and order, health, education, transport
etc. Westminster no longer makes laws for Scotland on these
matters.
also gave tax varying powers - could raise or lower the rate of
income tax up by 3%
what are primary legislative powers?
Authority to make laws on devolved policy areas
what are the major powers of scotland?
tax - income tax rates and bands, landfill tax, stamp duty etc
health and social policy - health service, social service, abortion
law
environment etc - env, housing, local government, transport
education and culture - sport, primary and secondary education
, alongside uni education, tourism
law and home affairs - justice, police, elections
what was the 2014 independence referendum?
Yes Scotland campaign fronted by the SNP, argued that people of
Scotland were best placed to make decisions that affect scotland.
SNP vision - independent scotland part of a personal union within
the UK. Have own written constitution and full responsibility for
welfare, foreign and defence policy
pro union campaign supported by labour, the conservatives and
the Lib Dems. Argued that scotland enjoyed devolution as well as
economic, political and cultural benefits of the union.
Independence would damage scottish economy
results was a 55%. no vote. but 1.6 million voters 45% supported
independence. High turnout at 84.5%
what did the Scotland Act 2016 do?
in the final stages of the referendum campaign, leaders of main
UK parties issued a vow to deliver further devolution in event of a
no vote. Result was the SA 2016. powers:
- power to set income tax rates and bands
- right to receive 50% of the VAT raised in Scotland
- control over certain welfare benefits e.g., housing element of
Universal Credit
- road signs, oil extraction (e.g. fracking)
- franchise (who has right to vote) for Scottish parliament
elections (subject to 2/3rds majority support in the parliament)
Scottish parliament has greater powers than subnational govt in
many other European states
how is the Welsh assembly elected
60 members elected by AMS:
- 40 elected in single-member constituencies using the FPTP
system
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