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Devolution British Government
Devolution is mainly categorized by administrative decentralization. According to
Yuliani (n.d.), it is defined as: A political decentralization process through which certain
responsibilities, power, governance-hold and decision making authorities are transferred
from central government to local governments, sub-national levels and communities (Yuliani
n.d.).
This transferring process is set according to all national laws and policies. This
handling down of administrative, financial and political power to local government allows
providing better public service to the people. Moreover, this allows the local government and
its people to take an active part in administrating their territorial areas and make decisions
according to their needs and preferences (Yuliani n.d.).
Devolution is operated in United Kingdom in the very same manner i.e. the power and
decision making authorities of its Parliament are transferred to the three main states of
Scottish parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
This came into being after a series of issues that started arising in early 1970s in the United
Kingdom (Britannica n.d.). The people of Scotland and Wales demanded a separate
parliament to run their states and policies. Therefore, a referendum was held by the Labour
Party government and parties of Scotland and Wales i.e. Scottish National Party and Plaid
Cymru, respectively (Britannica n.d.). Initially, this referendum was rejected but during 1980s
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and 1990s its need was aroused once more. And finally, the Labour government of Tony Blair
proposed a devolution scheme in 1998 which offered the following authorities to both
Scotland and Wales:
A Scottish Parliament that will have hold on setting its own rules and policies
and taxation rates (Britannica n.d.).
A Welsh Assembly which will not have power, but will be granted with the
authority of determining the implementation of laws and regulations of
London in Wales (Britannica n.d.).
This scheme was proposed in a form of bill which explained the Scottish devolution,
parliament structure, policy areas, taxation rules and relations with Europe etc. (HM
Government 2013). It was approved by both and hence both Scottish Parliament and Welsh
Assembly came into being in 1999. Moreover, Northern Ireland Parliament was also
implemented later on. In this way, the present states of Scotland, Wales and rest of United
Kingdom shows granting of real say over their own affairs after this devolution (BBC
1998). This enables them to run their local affairs more effectively within strong Britain
government.
The effect of devolution on Scotland and rest of United Kingdom can be well
explained by examining its consequences and relation of Scotland and United Kingdom after
the devolution act. The devolution assigns certain reserved provisions which can only be
administered by UK government. They are U.K. Constitution, foreign policy, national
security, fiscal policy, international trade policy, nuclear safety, social security, employment
policy and health policy (Young 2001). Similarly, it assigns several devolved provisions
which can only be administered by Scottish Parliament. They are education, local
government, housing, tourism, civil and criminal law, emergency services, economic
development, agriculture, and sports (Young 2001).
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According to HM Government (n.d.), the state of United Kingdom provides
devolution in such a way that the Scottish parliament is authorized to take charge and control
its policy, health and educational needs. It grants full freedom to Scotland to devolve their
policies reflecting their preferences (Devolution n.d.). In addition to this, devolution also
provides mutual decision making in which Scottish Parliament and UK government makes
decision by full collaboration. This results in better welfare of the people and society. It helps
in providing security, economic opportunities, interaction to the outer world, utilization of
resources and risk handling etc. (HM Government n.d.). In addition, both governments stand
by each other through any time of crisis. For example, Scottish Parliament supported UK a
lot in the financial crisis of UK banks (HM Government n.d.).
Now, in order to examine that how much power can be devolved from Westminster
without damage to the United Kingdoms role within a global market, the present effect and
consequences of devolution on the UK parliament at Westminster must be studied. According
to (Himsworth n.d., pp.1), the Scottish Parliament is seeking new ways and employing
strategies to take an active part and get a high role in the House of Lords and House of
Commons of Westminster. Firstly, Scottish parliament is demanding more representation in
the House of Lords. In past, many of the Westminster MPs were elected in the Scottish
Parliament also. This dual membership was not objected in the Scotland Act of 1998.
However, by this new demand of higher representation in House of Lords, this dual role of
those Westminster and Scottish MPs are repealed (Himsworth n.d., pp. 3). In reaction, the
ministers of UK government criticized and demanded on limiting the rights of Scottish,
Welsh and Ireland Parliaments (The Guardian (n.d.). As a solution, UK parliament has
decided to grant them more representation by granting pensions to that dual membered MPs.
Secondly, Scottish Parliament is demanding reading and committee stages to be provided on
the floors of the House of the commons (Himsworth n.d., pp. 4). The UK parliament is also
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looking forward to deal this matter in order to retain its honour to continue devolution in
Scotland. Thirdly, the UK parliament at Westminster is retaining its authority to deal both
devolved and resolved provisions. However, the Scottish court is demanding their right to
control the devolved matters (Himsworth n.d., pp. 5).
However, the present situation of Scottish devolution is demanding more devolution
by means of freedom. This is so because the existing Scotlands devolution is only a legal
piece of paper. According to Balci (n.d.), it is just as,
Without any entrenchment provided against the central UK government (Balci
n.d.).
This restricts the Scottish parliament to develop federalism in devolution and
dominate the legislative rule of the Westminster parliament (Balci n.d.). As a result, Scotland
demands more freedom by strengthening their devolution. Even though, the Scottish believes
in their mutual benefits and economic boom by making progress within United Kingdom.
Nevertheless, they also believe that their success and prosperity is not confined to the walls
within UK, without independence (Scottish conservatives 2013). However, many of the
Scottish people are of the view that if they are granted more devolution within UK in
deciding social welfare and taxation policies, then they can make work by being in
collaboration with UK government too (British social 2012). As a result, some of the Labour
politicians and UK government has decided to look over this matter.
In short, it is up to the UK parliament to decide and provide devolution as demanded
by the Scottish parliament and people. The future of devolution in great Britain can be made
successful and feasible in future too if it provides either complete freedom to Scotland by
setting it free from the legislative autonomy of Westminster or granting independence foe
once and all!
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Bibliography
1. Balci, B. (n.d.) DEVOLUTION FOR SCOTLAND IN THE UK CONSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK
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2. BBC (1998) Scottish Devolution explained [online], available:
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3. Britannica (n.d.) Devolution [online], available:
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4. British social attitudes (2012) more devolution for Scotland within the UK? [online],
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2013]
5. Devolution (n.d.) devolution: economy and finance [online], available:
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6. Himsworth, C. (n.d.) THE IMPACT OF DEVOLUTION TO THE SCOTTISH
PARLIAMENT ON THE UK PARLIAMENT AT WESTMINSTER [online],
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7. HM Government (2013) Scotland analysis: Devolution and the implications of
Scottish independence. UK: Stationery office [online], available:
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8. HM Government (n.d.) UK Governments Evidence to the Commission on
Devolution in Wales. Part II: The Welsh Devolution Settlement. UK: Wales office
[online], available:
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9. The Guardian (n.d.) Devolution and Westminster: how productive are non-English
MPs? [Online], available:
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10. Scottish conservatives (2013) Strengthening Devolution, Taking Scotland Forward
[online], available: [Link] [accessed 17 May 2013]
11. Young, S. (2001) Features - Devolution in the United Kingdom: A Revolution on
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12. Yuliani, E. L. (n.d.) Decentralization, Deconcentration and devolution: what do they
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