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Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not for England and Northern Ireland - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 2
Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not for England and Northern Ireland. In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledg... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not for England and Northern Ireland - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not for England and Northern Ireland.
Answer
Devolution has led to significant political powers being transferred to both Wales and Scotland.
Arguments Supporting the View
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Additional Powers for Scotland and Wales: Both Wales and Scotland have gained additional powers through the devolution settlements, which allows them greater autonomy over their internal affairs, including health, education, and transportation.
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General Success for Devolution: The devolution process is largely seen as a success, enhancing democratic representation in both Scotland and Wales, with citizen engagement generally higher than in England.
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Impact of Stormont's Suspension: Northern Ireland's devolved government has faced significant challenges, including long suspension periods, notably between January 2017 and January 2020. This hampers local governance and undermines the benefits associated with devolution.
Arguments Against the View
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Limited Progress in England: Unlike Wales and Scotland, England lacks its own dedicated parliament for devolution, leading to criticisms about unequal representation and perceived neglect of English interests.
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Discontent in Northern Ireland: The situation in Northern Ireland illustrates the fragility of devolved governance, where political stalemate and reliance on Westminster diminish the positive aspects of devolution.
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Resentment and Opposition: Particularly in Scotland, movements for independence and growing support for the Scottish National Party highlight that devolution does not eliminate the desire for full independence, leading to ongoing political tensions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while devolution appears to have benefitted Wales and Scotland by granting significant powers and fostering political engagement, the lack of a dedicated parliamentary structure for England, combined with the instability in Northern Ireland, suggests that devolution may not have been equally advantageous across the UK.