| Why should we have further powers given to regions in England? | Westminster is very London centric, devolved governments could better reflect the problems of specific regions, help prevent excessive differences in living standards, might improve local participation in politics. England is the only region without its own parliament., solved the West Lothian question |
| Arguments against further powers being devolved to England? | It would creat a new layer of government that is expensive, it would create a need for too many elections, creating voter apathy, there are few signs of great demand for further devolution. There is little public appetite for an English Parliament, demonstrated by a strong no vote for a proposed North East Assembly. If an English Parliament was introduced, the role and significance of the UK Parliament would be much reduced, leading to questions over the location of sovereignty |
| What are the positives of further devolution to the other nations? | It may make the break-up of the UK less likely- regions such as Scotland will be given more control over their own affairs so may be less inclined to wish to achieve full independence
Currently, under the Barnett formula, England receives less funding from UK taxes per capita than other UK regions. This could be addressed by having a devolved English Parliament |
| What are the arguments against further devolution to the other nations? | Power may end up being too fragmented, leading to possible differences in legislation in different areas and confusion over how laws differ in the different UK regions. There may be arguments over which regions would get a devolved assembly, and which wouldn’t- in some area of the UK there is a weaker regional identity than others |
| What could regional assemblies in England help solve? | Asymmetric devolution as it would create a more federalist structure and reduce the democratic defecit |
| What makes regional assemblies more effective? | There is cross party support for regional assemblies than there is for parliament |
| What is a key argument against regional assemblies | Voters in the north east overwhelmingly rejected a regional assembly in the 2004 referendum, more admin and too much democracy, turnout in Scotland hasn’t been good such as 56% in 2016 |
| Conclusion? | 2 proposals for devolution, could be a third way which is to do nothing at all, regional assemblies seem more positive, many don’t actually care because there are a lot of bigger issues, has covid proved that a top down approach doesn’t work? Regionals assemblies might be more accountable. You need more buy in from more political parties to help with legitimacy such as GM mayor being supported by all parties. |
