Politics · Year 12 · Rights, Liberties, and the State · 4.º Período

Devolution and the Changing State

An exploration of the process and impact of devolution in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Students will debate the future of the Union and the potential for further constitutional reform.

TL;DR:Devolution has fundamentally changed the nature of the UK state, moving it away from a highly centralised 'unitary' model toward a more 'quasi-federal' system. This topic explores the powers devolved to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the different electoral systems used in each. Students evaluate the impact of devolution on the unity of the UK and debate the future of the Union.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• A-Level Politics: UK Government 1.2 - Devolution in the UK
• A-Level Politics: UK Government 1.3 - Debates on further constitutional reform

About This Topic

Devolution has fundamentally changed the nature of the UK state, moving it away from a highly centralised 'unitary' model toward a more 'quasi-federal' system. This topic explores the powers devolved to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the different electoral systems used in each. Students evaluate the impact of devolution on the unity of the UK and debate the future of the Union.

A key part of this unit is the 'English Question', the debate over how England should be governed in a devolved UK. Students also consider the potential for further reform, such as regional devolution or an English Parliament. This topic is best taught through collaborative investigations and debates where students can represent the interests of different parts of the UK.

Key Questions

1. What powers have been devolved to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
2. Has devolution strengthened or weakened the UK Union?
3. Should there be an English Parliament?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Devolution is the same as independence.

What to Teach Instead

Devolution is the transfer of power from a central government to a regional one, but the central government remains legally sovereign. Use a 'Venn diagram' to show the difference between devolved powers and the powers of an independent state.

Common Misconception

All devolved nations have the same powers.

What to Teach Instead

The powers vary significantly between Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A 'comparison table' activity can help students identify the different responsibilities of each devolved administration.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

The Devolution Map

Groups are assigned to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or England. They must research the specific powers held by their region and create a visual 'map of power' to present to the class.

50 min·Small Groups

Formal Debate

The Future of the Union

Students debate the motion: 'This house believes that devolution will inevitably lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom.' Teams must argue from the perspectives of unionism and nationalism.

55 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share

The West Lothian Question

Students discuss the problem of Scottish MPs voting on English-only matters. They pair up to evaluate different solutions, such as 'English Votes for English Laws' (EVEL) or an English Parliament.

30 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the West Lothian Question?

It is the question of why Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish MPs at Westminster can vote on matters that only affect England, while English MPs cannot vote on those same matters for the devolved nations.

What are 'reserved powers'?

Reserved powers are the policy areas that remain the sole responsibility of the UK Parliament at Westminster, such as foreign policy, defence, and national security.

How can active learning help students understand devolution?

Devolution is about the distribution of power across different regions. By using collaborative investigations and regional role plays, students can see the UK from multiple perspectives. This active approach helps them understand why different parts of the UK have different political priorities and how devolution has created a more complex, multi-layered political system.

What is 'asymmetric devolution'?

It is a system where different parts of the country have different levels of power and different types of devolved institutions. This is the model currently used in the UK.