‹ All questionsPaper 2 · 2022 · 30 marks
Using the source, evaluate the view that devolution has created more problems than it has solved.
Constitution
Source
Source 2 explores a 2019 Institute for Government discussion about the impact of devolution.
The case that devolution has worked
Devolution has won legitimacy in Scotland and Wales by giving people more policy choices since they are now governed closer to home; also, public trust in government has been improved. However, turnout in devolved elections has been lower than in general elections. In Northern Ireland, devolution has delivered peace and an Executive and Assembly, although these devolved institutions have been suspended on more than one occasion.
The case that devolution has created more problems
In narrowing the democratic deficit elsewhere in the UK, devolution transferred a legitimacy problem to England. The West Lothian question remains problematic. England's only devolution has involved mayors being created with some executive, spending and strategic powers though lacking the public support that underpins devolution elsewhere. Inconsistently, much of England has no devolution at all.
In terms of the unity of the UK, some people in Scotland and Wales saw devolution as a path to independence, while others saw it as a means of preserving the place of Scotland and Wales in the United Kingdom. The Good Friday Agreement allowed both supporters of a united Ireland and supporters of Northern Ireland's place in the Union to support the measure. However, Brexit has strained devolved governments' relationship with Westminster.
Mark scheme: agreement
AO1: Turnout in elections has been lower than in general elections.
AO2: Turnout in devolved elections has been consistently lower than in general elections, suggesting a lack of political engagement with devolution.
AO3: We can conclude that lower turnout in devolved elections shows that it has not worked to increase political engagement.
AO1: The Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly have been suspended on more than one occasion.
AO2: In Northern Ireland, for around seven years since devolution started, there has not been a fully functioning Assembly and Executive due to the need for a power sharing agreement.
AO3: We can conclude that devolution is not working effectively at delivering a fully functioning Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland.
AO1: A legitimacy problem in England.
AO2: The lack of a devolved government for England, the lack of support for metro mayors and the issues around EVEL means that devolution is not working as there is a democratic deficit for England.
AO3: We can conclude that devolution is not working for England as it has created a democratic deficit.
AO1: Devolution as a stepping stone to independence.
AO2: Devolution is not working as it a slippery slope to the end of the Union. This issue has been brought into sharper focus in Scotland and N Ireland due to issues raised by Brexit showing that devolution is not working.
AO3: We can conclude that devolution is not working as it has opened up the possibility of Scottish Independence and the reunification of Ireland.
Mark scheme: disagreement
AO1: Devolution has won the battle for legitimacy in Scotland and Wales.
AO2: Devolution is widely supported in Wales and Scotland, as evidenced in the referenda results and polls showing a greater trust in devolved governments than UK government, as it has brought decision making closer to the people.
AO3: We can conclude that devolution has worked in Scotland and Wales to improve political trust and engagement.
AO1: Northern Ireland, devolution has delivered increased peace and stability.
AO2: Good Friday Agreement was designed to share power between unionist and nationalist communities leading to a massive drop in violence showing it has worked.
AO3: We can conclude that devolution remains popular in Northern Ireland and has been a success in delivering peace and stability.
AO1: Since 2015, metro mayors have been created with some executive, spending and strategic powers.
AO2: Metro Mayors have created a clear regional voice and identity, such as Andy Burnham for Greater Manchester, showing it is a working form of devolution for England.
AO3: We can conclude that Metro Mayors have worked to provide a form of regional voice and English devolution.
AO1: Devolution has helped maintained the unity of the UK.
AO2: Devolution recognise the rights of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland to determine their own government so works to cement their constitutional role in the Union.
AO3: We can conclude that this constitutional settlement works to bring unity to the UK.