Key topic: Multi-level governance DO NOW Each of the following powers are invested in either central, national (e.g. Scottish) or local government; and some may exist at multiple levels. Where does each power sit? The power to vary the rate of the community charge or ‘council tax’ The power to direct the operations of the National Health Service The power to vary the basic rate of income tax The power to vary defence spending and to reduce or increase the size of the army The power to sign diplomatic treaties with other countries The power to borrow money by issuing bonds

Learning objectives To consolidate our understanding of the governance at multiple levels To explain the impact of devolution on the way the UK is governed To relate these to other key topics studied to-date

Key concepts and required reading DatesTopicKey conceptsRequired reading May 1—8 Multi-level government The main powers of elected local government and the devolved parliaments; their relations with Westminster Parliament Debates on the nature and extent of devolved power. The composition and main powers of the European Parliament, the European Council and Council of Ministers, the Commission. Where does power lie? Is there a ‘democratic deficit’ in the EU? ‘Parliament: What does it do and how effectively does it do it?' Politics Review November 2013 ‘The House of Commons: A rejuvenated institution?' Politics Review November 2014 ‘The Coalition in Parliament’ B. Yong in Hazell and Yong The Politics of Coalition (2015) McNaughton & Magee UK Government & Politics Annual Update – 2015 (2015), Ch.4 Heywood, Essentials of UK Politics (2011) Ch.7 ‘Parliament‘ Watts, British Government & Politics (2012) Ch.3. 'The legislature‘ Grant, The UK Parliament (2009) Ch.1 & Conclusion Deacon, Devolution in the United Kingdom (2012) Ch.1, 2 & 12

Components of federal government Key components of federalism: Two relatively autonomous levels of government Linking institutions that balance the power of federal states A written constitution A constitutional arbiter (supreme court)

Federalism vs. devolution Federalism shares sovereignty among bodies with equal legal (constitutional) authority Devolution delegates powers from a sovereign body to a legally (constitutionally) subordinate one ‘Federal devolution’ (Bogdanor) or ‘quasi-federalism’ is distinctively British. Under this system, power is increasingly devolved to the regional assemblies/parliaments which are then able to act with considerably autonomy in key areas such as taxation and local government.

The contrast with Spain Read through the three page article on this history of devolution in Britain and the comparison with Spain Based on the article, compile a list of pros and cons of devolution

Devolution... ProsCons Makes government more accountable and therefore more democratic Limits the power of the executive by creating a network of checks and balances Encourages political engagement by otherwise hard-to-reach groups (e.g. ethnic minorities, women, young voters) Helps address regional inequality as policy is better tailored to local needs Is consistent with a ‘Europe of the regions’ and the advancing federalist agenda Contributes to the emergence of a genuinely regional/national identity Risks undermining the historical unity of the UK Can make decision-making on important issues more difficult Is a more expensive form of government England would dominate any UK parliament because of its predominant population (83 percent) and greater per capita wealth

English votes for English laws (‘EVEL’) W Hague’s February 2015 command paper sets out the following proposal: MPs from all nations of the UK will still debate and vote on legislation that affects only England; a simply majority of MPs are required for a bill to become law BUT The committee stage of such legislation would be limited to English MPs; and English MPs would be given a final veto over legislation that applies only in England

Elected representatives at different levels of government The responsibilities of the different levels of government are of major importance in the United Kingdom. While at all levels there are elected representatives, their power varies considerably. A criticism of local government, for example, is that it largely follows the orders of central government, with limited scope for councillors to decide on major issues in their own right. With devolved government, a major criticism lies in the inequalities in the representation of citizens from the various nations within the UK, leading some observers to suggest the creation of an elected English Parliament. The most powerful elected representatives within the UK are found in the Westminster Parliament, where candidates elected by the people consider the electorate’s best interests, along with possible consequences, when debating and agreeing the laws that the population must abide by. The only directly elected institution within the European Union (EU) is the European Parliament. However, although a supranational body, it does not hold the same authority as national parliaments because power is shared amongst the institutions of the EU. Adapted from Mitchell AS Level Citizenship (2009) Define the term devolved government as used in the extract. (5) Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, identify and explain two arguments in favour of the creation of an elected English Parliament. (10) ‘The UK is today effectively a federal state.’ Discuss. (25) Topic 4 Multi-level governance

Networks of governance Britain has a multi-level system of governance. This means more than the simple observation that there are indeed multiple levels at which governing institutions operate; it means that these levels interact in numerous, often complex ways. On occasions the relationships are hierarchical: central government commands, or at least seeks to command, through means such as grants and directives. More commonly, networks of governing institutions are joined in more subtle ways: they are obliged to co-operate with each other, to bargain with each other, and often to try to manipulate each other. The government of a community cannot therefore be viewed in isolation. Local governments are embedded in webs of relationships: with other local governments; with national institutions; with regional bodies. Even the most basic outline of the local government system soon reveals this layered, multi- level character. Adapted from Moran Politics and Government in the UK (2005) Define the term local government as used in the extract. (5) Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, identify and explain two ways in which central government ‘seeks to command’ local government. (10) xxxxxxx. Topic 4 Multi-level governance