Which of the devolved assemblies has done most to improve local democracy?

Scottish Parliament Welsh Assembly Northern Ireland assembly

How much support  52% of those who voted supported  50.1% said yes to a welsh assembly on a turnout of 50.1%.  Communal conflict: a strong
was there for an devolution.  Lots of western wales supported devolution but eastern wales political divide between unionists
assembly? did not. and nationalists. Unionists want NI
(referendum &  Westminster said that a Scottish to stay in the UK, but nationalists
election results) assembly wouldn’t be created unless it 1979 referendum in Wales produced 20% support for devolution. In 1997 favour a united Ireland.
was supported by 40% of the Scottish another referendum was held and 50.3% voted for devolution and turnout  Distinctive party system
electorate- only 33% voted ‘yes’. was 50.1%.  Security: Terrorist campaigns by
republican and loyalist paramilitary
 Demands for Scottish devolution organisations killed more than
reappeared so voters in Scotland were 3,600 people during the troubles.
asked if they supported a Scottish The IRA has adhered to a
parliament and tax-varying powers for ceasefire since 1995 but
the parliament. - 74.3% supported a breakaway republican groups
Scottish parliament and 63.5% remain active.
supported tax-varying powers.  Separate system of government:
NI has been governed differently
from the rest of the UK. Between
1922 and 1972 it was the only part
of the UK to have its own gov.
 Devolution in NI is designed
specially so that nationalists and
unionist parties share power.
Number of  Has 129 members (MSPs).  60 members  The 1998 Good Friday Agreement
representatives &  Known as the Scottish executive until  It formulates and implements policy ( the Belfast agreement) was
organisation of 2007.  made to establish peace in a
power  The first minister (leader of largest  . power-sharing devolution.
party) heads the government and  The first minister (leader of the largest party) heads the  That there would be a referendum
appoints the cabinet. government and appoints the cabinet. to elect an assembly, referendum
 Nicola Sturgeon replaced Alex  Labour has been in power, either alone or in coalition since the held in 1998, 71% wanted an
Salmond as SNP leader and first first assembly election in 1999. elected assembly and 94% in the
minister in 2014. republic of Ireland.
 Carwyn Jones became the first minister in 2009 and Mark  The NI Assembly consists of 108
Drakeford is the first minister for 2021. members.
 Led by a first minister (arlene
foster 2021) and deputy first
minister. The first minster I the
leader of the largest party and the
deputy first minister is from the
second largest party.
Voting system  Additional member system (AMS) that  Additional member system ( AMS)  Single transferrable vote (STV)
used includes FPTP and PR.  40 members elected in single-member constituencies using the system of PR.
FPTP system.  The number of assembly
Current make-up  73 MSPs are elected in single-member  20 members are elected in five multi-member regions using the members is set to reduce to 90
of the devolved constituencies using FPTP. regional list system of PR. ahead of the 2021 election.
assembly  Elections were initially held every 4 years but this was extended 
 56 MSPs are ‘additional members’ to 5 years due to the Wales Act 2014.
chosen from party lists. They are
elected in eight multi-member regions,
each of which elects seven-members
using the regional list system of
proportional representation (PR). –
These seats are allocated to parties
on a corrective basis so that the
distribution of seats reflects more
accurately the share of the vote won
by parties.
What powers does  The Scotland Act 1998: gave Scottish  Their powers have expanded since its creation, but it is not as  Corporation tax
the assembly parl primary legislative powers over a extensive as the Scottish Parliament.  Health and social services
hold? range of policies- law and order,  It now has primary legislative powers and under the wales act  Welfare benefits
health, education, transport, the 2017, moved to a system of reserved powers like Scotland.  Education
environment. (Subsidiarity)  Previously only had secondary and executive powers but a  Police, prison
 Westminster no longer makes law for referendum was approved and in 2011 64% voted ‘yes’,  transport
Scotland on these matters. explaining that devolution was the right decision for wales, but
independence is less popular in wales, unlike in Scotland. -
Tax: income tax rates, other specified taxes meant they now had primary powers.
and duties like stamp duty, landfill tax.
Health + social policy: Abortion law, social  They received powers over education, health, transport etc in
services, some welfare benefits. The Government of Wales Act 1998, more powers have been
Education and culture: university education, devolved since.
primary and secondary education.

 They have tax varying powers due to Ability to make changes to education policy means they can keep their
Scotland act 1998, it could raise or traditions for example their language.
lower the rate of income tax in But there is a growth in nationalism, mark Drakeford’s response to
Scotland by up to 3%. pandemic has highted the effectiveness of different services throughout
 The Scotland Act 2016 devolved the UK, has been slower in Wales.
control of income taxes and bands and
gave the Scottish parliament 50% of
the VAT revenue raised in Scotland.
 Westminster still hold reserved powers
which means Scotland do not have
power over these things such as the
UK constitution, foreign policy,
defence/national security etc…

Success or  Failure: Giving Scotland independence
failure? (any other has led to them wanting further The positive outcomes of devolution overall for each:
issues that have devolution and even independence, - More representation for people living in under devolved administrations
effected their this could be a threat to the security
success) and structure of UK.
 The 2014 independence referendum -it seems like it has been a success because by giving each country some
had a ‘yes’ Scotland campaign fronted
by the SNP arguing that the people of of its own devolved powers, it keeps them happy and helps the Uk to
Scotland were best placed to make
decisions that affect Scotland. remain a united nation
 The West Lothian Question - a fairer system and its not democratic to only have one body of power.
 The SNP wanted an independent
Scotland that wa spart of a ‘personal Devolution allows for multiple people to have their say in matters that
union’ with the UK, but Scotland would
have it shown written constitution. primarily concern only their country. The system put in place is not perfect,
 The referendum on 18th September but has been an important stepping stone in the right direction.
2014 asked ‘should Scotland be an
independent country’- the result was a -thumbs up because assemblies can represent the people in their country
55.3% ‘no’ vote, but 44.7% supported
-I would say a success because it has eased tensions and increased
independence.
autonomy of separate regions if that makes sense
-a success because it has resulted in peace keeping and a generally
happy electorate