Devolution - British Government - Essay Example

Devolution is operated in United Kingdom in the very same manner i.e. the power and decision making authorities of its Parliament are transferred to the three main states of Scottish parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly. This came into being after a series of issues that started arising in early 1970s in the United Kingdom (Britannica n.d.). The people of Scotland and Wales demanded a separate parliament to run their states and policies. Therefore, a referendum was held by the Labour Party government and parties of Scotland and Wales i.e. Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru, respectively (Britannica n.d.).

Initially, this referendum was rejected but during 1980s and 1990s its need was aroused once more. And finally, the Labour government of Tony Blair proposed a devolution scheme in 1998 which offered the following authorities to both Scotland and Wales: A Scottish Parliament that will have hold on setting its own rules and policies and taxation rates (Britannica n.d.). . (HM Government 2013). was approved by both and hence both Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly came into being in 1999. Moreover, Northern Ireland Parliament was also implemented later on.

In this way, the present states of Scotland, Wales and rest of United Kingdom shows granting of real “say over their own affairs” after this devolution (BBC 1998). This enables them to run their local affairs more effectively within strong Britain government. The effect of devolution on Scotland and rest of United Kingdom can be well explained by examining its consequences and relation of Scotland and United Kingdom after the devolution act. The devolution assigns certain reserved provisions which can only be administered by UK government.

They are “U.K. Constitution, foreign policy, national security, fiscal policy, international trade policy, nuclear safety, social security, employment policy and health policy (Young 2001)”. Similarly, it assigns several devolved provisions which can only be administered by Scottish Parliament. They are “education, local government, housing, tourism, civil and criminal law, emergency services, economic development, agriculture, and sports (Young 2001)”. According to HM Government (n.d.), the state of United Kingdom provides devolution in such a way that the Scottish parliament is authorized to take charge and control its policy, health and educational needs.

It grants full freedom to Scotland to devolve their policies reflecting their preferences (Devolution n.d.). In addition to this, devolution also provides mutual decision making in which Scottish Parliament and UK government makes decision by full collaboration. This results in better welfare of the people and society. It helps in providing