The Case for the Scottish Parliament

Learning Intentions By the end of this set of lessons I will: Look at the structure of politics in the UK Identify three reserved powers and three devolved powers Be able to explain which decisions each Parliament makes.

Our current structure of decision- making :

Scotland is represented in two Parliaments: The Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament Holyrood Holyrood Based in Edinburgh Based in Edinburgh The British Parliament The British Parliament Westminster Westminster Based in London Based in London Copy this slide

Devolved Powers = powers passed on Reserved Power = powers that are kept

Scotland is represented in two Parliaments: The Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament Holyrood Holyrood Based in Edinburgh Based in Edinburgh Devolved powers = powers that are passed on Devolved powers = powers that are passed on The British Parliament The British Parliament Westminster Westminster Based in London Based in London Reserved powers = powers that are kept Reserved powers = powers that are kept Add on the final bullet point.

ACTIVITY Use the white board to try and decide which of the following ‘powers’ are devolved and reserved. Use the white board to try and decide which of the following ‘powers’ are devolved and reserved. Remember it is devolved if: Remember it is devolved if: It is likely to have ‘local effect’ only It is likely to have ‘local effect’ only It is an area where you can have different laws between Scotland and England It is an area where you can have different laws between Scotland and England It is an area of decision-making that was separate before devolution It is an area of decision-making that was separate before devolution

Sports and the Arts Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Justice Local Government Education Health Social Work and Housing The Constitution Transport Employment Protection of borders Foreign Policy Defence and national security The Economy Social Security

DEVOLVEDRESERVED

DEVOLVEDRESERVED Education Defence and Security Health Foreign Policy Sports and Arts Protection of Borders Local Government Employment Agriculture The Constitution JusticeEconomy Transport Social Security Social Work

Reasons for devolving certain powers: It is a decision that can affect Scotland only. It was already separate. It relates to history, tradition and culture.

Who would make each decision? Funding to sports projects. What the minimum wage is. Whether we should have a monarchy or not. How our armed forces are structured and where they are based.

January 2014 Scottish not British23% More Scottish than British26% Equally Scottish and British32% More British than Scottish5% British not Scottish6% Other description7% None of these1% Exploring our National Identity – Scotland Results

Scotland’s Future? On Thursday 18 th September 2014 there was a referendum asking the Scottish people the following question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?" 55% of the country voted NO, while 45% voted YES.

Main Arguments and evidence? In order to write a balanced account of the arguments for and against independence you need to review arguments on both sides. In groups read each of the ‘argument’ cards and decide if it is an argument for or against independence.

Check our answers: For The Nation State History of Independence Support for devolution The UK Parliament dictates policy to Scotland. Scotland has the resources and ability to be a successful nation state. Against ‘Idealism’ Scots can be influential in the UK Only a minority want independence. Currency – people want to keep the £ Oil – will not last forever Scotland benefits financially from being in the UK.

A Divided Nation

60 Seconds after result

Finding evidence? Now review the two sheets of evidence. Can you match each argument with the relevant evidence. Pick 3 arguments + evidence for each side and write these into your jotter.

Campaigns? ‘Better Together’ ‘Yes Scotland’

Task: How does your year group's answer to the above question compare to the answers of people around Scotland? In your jotter write a 'conclusion' about the difference. Remember to use the statistics from the table to help you do this!

The Referendum In the run up to the election opinion polls suggested that the yes campaign had increased it’s vote. Leaders of the Union supporting parties pledged to increase the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament if there was a ‘no’ vote.

Devolution Timetable

The Smith Commission Lord Smith was asked to chair a commission to recommend which extra powers should be given to the Scottish Parliament. Representatives from each political party sat on the commission and agreed to the report.

The Scotland Bill 2015/ – Scotland Bill proposed to UK Parliament. November 2015 – MPs in the House of Commons agreed to it. January 2016 – House of Lords debate the bill Next step – the Scottish Parliament will be asked to agree to it.

Some of the powers within the Scotland Bill are detailed on the next slide.

‘Scotland as a Nation’ You now need to write a report summarising all that you have learned about Scotland as a Nation. You can structure this how you want, although must include the following:

Structure for your report Introduction Scottish Identity vs British Identity – what do you think it means to be Scottish? What are the results of public opinion surveys? The Scottish Parliament and Devolved and Reserved Powers –When was the Parliament created? –What are the devolved and reserved powers? – give examples of each and types of decision that could be made. The Independence Debate – arguments for and against independence – Proposals of the Smith Commission/Scotland Bill Conclusion

org.uk/my/LHSHistoryand ModernStudies/ org.uk/my/LHSHistoryand ModernStudies/