Chapter 5
Devolved government
The powers of the governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the media's role in politics, and who can vote and stand for election.
By the end you should know
- Know when devolution began and what each devolved body can do
- Know the sizes and locations of the devolved parliaments and assemblies (handbook figures)
- Explain how Parliament is reported and the rules for the media
- Know who can vote, how to register and how voting works
- Know who can stand for public office
Devolution
Since 1997 some powers have been handed down (devolved) from central government so that people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have more say over matters that affect them directly. The Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament both date from 1999. Each devolved administration has its own civil service.
Some areas stay with the UK government in Westminster for the whole country, while many other services, including education, are run by the devolved governments.
Since when have powers been devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Key factSince 1997.
In which year were the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament set up?
Key fact1999.
According to the handbook, which policy areas stay under UK central government control?
Defence · foreign affairs · immigration · taxation · social security
Many other public services, such as education, are run by the devolved administrations, each of which has its own civil service.
Wales
The handbook describes the Welsh government and the National Assembly for Wales, based in Cardiff. It had 60 Assembly members (AMs), elected every four years by a form of proportional representation. Members may speak Welsh or English, and everything it publishes is in both languages. It can make laws in 20 areas — such as education and training, health and social services, economic development and housing — and since 2011 has not needed the UK Parliament's agreement to do so.
According to the handbook, where does the National Assembly for Wales sit and how many members does it have?
In the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay; 60 Assembly members (AMs), elected by a form of proportional representation.
Members can speak Welsh or English and all publications are in both languages. It can make laws in 20 areas (including education and training, health and social services, economic development and housing) and since 2011 has not needed the UK Parliament's agreement to do so.
Scotland
The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999 and sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh. It has 129 members (MSPs), elected by a form of proportional representation. It can make laws on everything not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament.
When was the Scottish Parliament formed, where does it sit and how many members does it have?
Key factFormed in 1999; it sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh; 129 members (MSPs), elected by a form of proportional representation.
What can the Scottish Parliament make laws about?
All matters not reserved to the UK Parliament, including civil and criminal law, health, education, planning and additional tax-raising powers.
Northern Ireland
A Northern Ireland Parliament was created in 1922 when Ireland was divided, and abolished in 1972, soon after the Troubles began. The current Northern Ireland Assembly was set up after the Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement) of 1998 and works on power-sharing: ministerial jobs are shared among the main parties. Its members, MLAs, are elected by proportional representation and meet at Stormont in Belfast.
The UK government has the power to suspend any devolved assembly and has used it several times in Northern Ireland when local leaders found it hard to work together.
When was the Northern Ireland Assembly set up and how does it work?
Soon after the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement of 1998. Ministerial offices are shared among the main parties (power-sharing). Members are called MLAs and meet at Stormont in Belfast; the handbook says there are 108.
It decides on issues such as education, agriculture, the environment, health and social services. The UK government can suspend devolved assemblies and has done so several times in Northern Ireland. An earlier Northern Ireland Parliament existed from 1922 to 1972.
The media and government
Parliament's proceedings are shown on television and written up in official reports called Hansard. Most people follow politics through newspapers ('the press'), TV, radio and the internet. The UK has a free press: newspapers are not controlled by the government, and some owners and editors campaign on political issues. By law, though, radio and TV must give balanced coverage to the political parties.
How are proceedings in Parliament recorded, and what rules apply to the media?
Debates are broadcast on TV and published in official reports called Hansard. Newspapers are free from government control (a free press), but by law radio and TV coverage of political parties must be balanced.
Who can vote?
The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928, when women gained the vote on the same terms as men. The present voting age of 18 was set in 1969. Almost all adult citizens, whether UK-born or naturalised, can vote.
When was the present voting age of 18 set, and since when has the UK had a fully democratic voting system?
Key factThe voting age of 18 was set in 1969. Fully democratic since 1928.
Who can vote in all public elections in the UK?
Key factAdult citizens of the UK, and adult citizens of the Commonwealth and the Irish Republic who live in the UK.
The handbook adds that adult citizens of other EU states living in the UK can vote in all elections except General Elections.
Registering and voting
To vote you must be on the electoral register. You register with the electoral registration office at your local council. Anyone may look at the register under supervision, at the registration office or in some libraries.
Before an election you receive a poll card telling you where and when to vote. Polling stations (polling places in Scotland) are open from 7 am to 10 pm. Staff check your name and address, then you mark your ballot paper alone in a booth and put it in the ballot box. Nobody has the right to tell you who to vote for. If getting to the polling station is difficult, you can ask for a postal ballot.
What must you do before you can vote?
Have your name on the electoral register. You register through your local council's electoral registration office.
The register is updated every year (September/October in the handbook). Northern Ireland uses individual registration. Local authorities must make the register available for anyone to look at, under supervision.
Where and when do people vote on election day?
At a polling station (called a polling place in Scotland), open from 7 am to 10 pm. Your poll card tells you where it is.
You fill in your ballot paper privately in a polling booth; no one can make you vote for a particular candidate. If getting there is difficult you can register for a postal ballot.
Standing for office and visiting Parliament
Most adult citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office, with some exceptions. Members of the House of Lords cannot stand for the Commons.
Who can stand for public office, and who cannot?
Key factMost citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over. Exceptions include members of the armed forces, civil servants and people found guilty of certain criminal offences.
Members of the House of Lords cannot stand for the House of Commons but can stand for all other public offices.
Anyone can watch debates from the public galleries of both Houses at the Palace of Westminster, free of charge — by queuing on the day or asking your MP for tickets. Queues for the Commons can be long; the Lords is usually easier. Visits can also be arranged to Stormont, Holyrood and the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay.
Exam tip: 1928 = equal voting for men and women (at 21); 1969 = voting age lowered to 18. Devolution began in 1997; the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly started in 1999. The Scottish Parliament has 129 MSPs.
The handbook lists defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security as staying with the UK government, while education and health are devolved. (Since 2016 Scotland has gained some income tax and welfare powers, but defence, foreign affairs and immigration are still reserved.)