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Scottish devolution

Scottish devolution. Historical background; Political questions; How Parliament operates; Policy outcomes; Public Attitudes. Historical background. 1707 Act of Union – a decapitation Law, Education, Religion: different policy settlement 1974 election: disenchantment, economic slowdown, oil

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Scottish devolution

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  1. Scottish devolution Historical background; Political questions; How Parliament operates; Policy outcomes; Public Attitudes

  2. Historical background • 1707 Act of Union – a decapitation Law, Education, Religion: different policy settlement • 1974 election: disenchantment, economic slowdown, oil • 1979 referendum: needs 40% electorate • Barnett formula: overspending on Scotland?

  3. A crisis of legitimacy? • Thatcher at Westminster but Tories in Scotland? • Exemplified by Poll Tax • Scottish Constitutional Convention (1993): TUs, churches, pressure groups, Labour & the Liberals • Established devolution as Labour policy

  4. Referendum 11th September 1997: Turnout: 59% YES to Parliament: 74.3% YES to tax varying powers: 63.5% • Scotland Act 1998 • Elections 1999 • Blair: ‘the powers of a parish council’

  5. Walking a tightrope? • First step to independence? • The West Lothian question • Money & tax • The Barnett Formula

  6. The Parliament • 129 MSPs • Unicameral • Strong committee system • FPTP & AMS: 73 constituencies & %^ List MSPs in 8 regions (European regions) • Horseshoe chamber

  7. Powers • Health, education, local government, housing, economic development, transport, law and home affairs, environment, agriculture, fisheries & forestry • Reserve powers (Westminster) Foreign policy, defence, finance, employment & social security

  8. New politics? • Coalition politics • Sophisticated electorate • Smaller parties do well • Free personal care • Tuition fees • Lead on smoking ban

  9. Public attitudes • ‘Ordinary people will have more say in how Scotland is governed’ 1997 1999 2000 79% 64% 44% Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2000

  10. A social democratic settlement? Redistribute income & wealth: % agreeing (Paterson, 2001) Scotland England 1979 58 52 1992 61 47 1997 69 59 1999 61 36

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