Has devolution put the future of the Union at greater risk?
Format. Click a card to flip and see the answer on the back. Use these to drill named cases, dates, statutes and key concepts.
12 cards
1997 Scottish devolution referendum
74% Yes for a Scottish Parliament. Tax-varying power also approved.
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1997 Welsh devolution referendum
50.3% Yes. Narrowest of the four mandates.
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Scotland Act + Government of Wales Act
1998 - created the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly.
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Good Friday Agreement + Northern Ireland Act
1998 - created the NI Assembly + power-sharing Executive. Brokered between London, Dublin and the main NI parties.
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2014 Scottish independence referendum
55-45 No. The headline test of devolution and the Union, and the Union won.
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Scotland Act 2016
Gave the Scottish Parliament full income tax-setting power. Passed by Westminster to deepen devolution after the 2014 referendum.
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Section 35 (Scotland Act 1998)
Allows the UK government to block a Scottish Bill that would have adverse effects on reserved matters. First used in 2023.
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2023 Section 35 order
Blocked the Scottish Parliament's Gender Recognition Reform Bill. First ever use of Section 35.
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NI Assembly suspension 2022-24
Triggered by the dispute over the NI Protocol. Restored in 2024 under the Stormont Brake compromise. No return to violence.
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Senedd (Welsh Parliament)
Renamed in 2020 from the National Assembly for Wales. Used as a policy laboratory - e.g. the default 20mph speed limit.
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Sewel Convention
Westminster will not normally legislate in devolved areas without consent. Not enforceable in court. Has been overridden in practice on Brexit-related legislation.
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Asymmetric devolution
Each devolved body has different powers, set up at different times for different reasons. Scotland strongest; NI built around power-sharing; Wales weaker; England has no parliament.