Explain three ways devolution has impacted the UK unitary state [9 marks]
One way in which devolution had impacted the UK as a unitary state is that it created
a quasi-federal system. For example, Westminster no longer legislates on devolved
matters without consent based on the Sewell convention. The 1998 Scotland Act
gave Scotland primary legislative powers on major domestic policy, while
Westminster controls foreign policy. However, this can worsen the UK as a unitary
state, as it has encouraged calls for independence, as they believe devolution is
not enough. For example, the SNP, one of the most popular parties in Scotland, has
consistently pressured Westminster to grant independence and, in 2014, held a
referendum on it. While 55% voted to remain in the United Kingdom, calls for
independence still dominate some of Scotland's prominent political agenda.
Therefore, risking the UK as a unitary state.
Another way in which devolution has impacted the UK as a unitary state is through
policy divergence. For example, Scotland currently offers free university tuition to
its students, England charges up to £9,250 and is currently increasing. This can
erode the unitary feeling of the UK as each country has differing significant laws.
This can create tension between local and central control. For example, Northern
Ireland did not accept abortion or gay rights, which Westminster hugely disagreed
with. In 2019, when the Northern Irish government collapsed, Westminster took over
and passed those laws. This shows that while policy divergence allows countries to
do what's best for their citizens, it can also create tension for the UK as a unitary
state.
Lastly, devolution has impacted the UK as a unitary state through having
asymmetric governance. For example, Wales gave the vote to 16-17-year-olds in
2019. Because of its popularity in 2024, it became part of Labour's manifesto. This
shows how asymmetric devolution allows different parts of the UK to act as “policy
laboratories”, where successful regional reforms can influence and shape policy
across the whole UK. It can also create a deconstruction of uniform citizenship.
For example, while the 2012 Scotland Act allows them to change income tax by 10p,
the 2014 Wales Act only allows for varying rates on non-savings and non-dividend
income and not income tax. This means that the UK unitary system is threatened by
irregularities bordering on each other.
9/9
One way in which devolution had impacted the UK as a unitary state is that it created
a quasi-federal system. For example, Westminster no longer legislates on devolved
matters without consent based on the Sewell convention. The 1998 Scotland Act
gave Scotland primary legislative powers on major domestic policy, while
Westminster controls foreign policy. However, this can worsen the UK as a unitary
state, as it has encouraged calls for independence, as they believe devolution is
not enough. For example, the SNP, one of the most popular parties in Scotland, has
consistently pressured Westminster to grant independence and, in 2014, held a
referendum on it. While 55% voted to remain in the United Kingdom, calls for
independence still dominate some of Scotland's prominent political agenda.
Therefore, risking the UK as a unitary state.
Another way in which devolution has impacted the UK as a unitary state is through
policy divergence. For example, Scotland currently offers free university tuition to
its students, England charges up to £9,250 and is currently increasing. This can
erode the unitary feeling of the UK as each country has differing significant laws.
This can create tension between local and central control. For example, Northern
Ireland did not accept abortion or gay rights, which Westminster hugely disagreed
with. In 2019, when the Northern Irish government collapsed, Westminster took over
and passed those laws. This shows that while policy divergence allows countries to
do what's best for their citizens, it can also create tension for the UK as a unitary
state.
Lastly, devolution has impacted the UK as a unitary state through having
asymmetric governance. For example, Wales gave the vote to 16-17-year-olds in
2019. Because of its popularity in 2024, it became part of Labour's manifesto. This
shows how asymmetric devolution allows different parts of the UK to act as “policy
laboratories”, where successful regional reforms can influence and shape policy
across the whole UK. It can also create a deconstruction of uniform citizenship.
For example, while the 2012 Scotland Act allows them to change income tax by 10p,
the 2014 Wales Act only allows for varying rates on non-savings and non-dividend
income and not income tax. This means that the UK unitary system is threatened by
irregularities bordering on each other.
9/9
