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The Scottish System... What’s all this Devolved Government about then?

Devolution is the central government giving local government power, so they can make decisions at a level where they will have an impact.

'The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened.'
Dr Winifred Ewing MSP, Mother of the Scottish Parliament, 12th May 1999.

This speech and devolution settlement meant that Scotland now has a parliament with ‘devolved’ powers within the United Kingdom. Any powers, which remain with the UK Parliament at Westminster, are reserved.

    • Devolved powers: Matters such as education, health and prisons, which used to be dealt with by the Parliament at Westminster, are now decided in Scotland.
    • Reserved powers: Decisions (mostly about matters with a UK or international impact) are reserved and dealt with at Westminster.

The Scottish Parliament operates as a self-contained and fully functioning Parliament in its own right. Laws can be passed by the Scottish Parliament without going through the Westminster Parliament.

The UK Parliament at Westminster retains power to legislate on any matter, but the convention (way things are normally done) of devolution is that the UK Parliament will not normally make laws on devolved matters without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

Features of the devolution settlement for Scotland

A Scottish Parliament has

  • The power to pass legislation
  • The power to alter the rate of tax
  • 129 elected representatives known as Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP's)

The Parliament has a Scottish Executive comprising of:

  • The First Minister
  • The Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General (also known as the Law Officers)
  • Other Ministers appointed by the First

Features of the UK Government and Parliament after Devolution

  • The Secretary of State for Scotland will remain a member of the UK Cabinet, and will be supported by a new Office.
  • Scotland will continue to elect MPs to the Westminster Parliament.

Read:

How to Vote in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament

How Laws are Made in Scotland

'Our Story' from someone who stood for election

Interview with Tommy Sheridan MSP

An Interview a Member of the Scottish National Party

Links

General overview of Scottish Parliament
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk

'THE' Scottish Parliament news service
http://www.holyroodnews.com

For education resources
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/ypt/resources.html

Contact your MSP
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/msp-email.htm

Don't Lose Your Vote
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/voting/fr-electoral.htm

- The Pupiline Team

Devolution
What do you think about devolution?
It's a good idea
It's a bad idea
Devo-what?


Independence for Scotland
Do you think that Scotland should get independence from the UK?
Yes
No
Don't care

©1999-2003 Pupiline Limited, 2003-2008 Creative Commons. For info email Oli Originally powered by KeConnect Internet, now powered by XCalibre and the Big Boost, recovered thanks to Warrick


©1999-2003 Pupiline Limited, 2003-2008 Creative Commons. For info email Oli Originally powered by KeConnect Internet, now powered by XCalibre and the Big Boost, recovered thanks to Warrick


©1999-2003 Pupiline Limited, 2003-2008 Creative Commons. For info email Oli Originally powered by KeConnect Internet, now powered by XCalibre and the Big Boost, recovered thanks to Warrick