Shifting Agendas Moving toward constitutional change & ‘solutions’ for Northern Ireland.

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
Who Represents Us? Scottish and UK Parliaments. UK Parliament The main work of Parliament is to make laws, debate topical issues and look at how our taxes.
Advertisements

GB TWO COLLECTIVEIST CONSESNUS THE EVOLUTION OF THE BRITISH STATE The Collectivist Consensus  WWII coalition government became an informal.
Political Parties / Elections in the United Kingdom.
Scotland towards Independence? Or how to dissolve the United Kingdom?
Elections, Electoral Reform, and 2010 The Purpose of Elections  They allow the ‘will of the people’ to be expressed  They provide for voter choice.
Progress check Complete the questionnaire, indicating your level of confidence with each of the key concepts in multi-level governance. Use the (British)
BRITISH POLITICAL SYSTEM
More Women in European Politics
Parties in Britain There is no law governing political parties in Great Britain. Parties are understood as an expression of initiatives born out of society.
Scottish devolution Historical background; Political questions; How Parliament operates; Policy outcomes; Public Attitudes.
1997 referendum Referendums Referendums put the onus on the voter in what is essentially a 'yes' or 'no' choice. Arguments put forward in favour of referendums.
The UK: Country and People 7 January 2013 by Sigrid Brevik Wangsness.
Electoral Systems AND Voting behaviour
The Scottish Referendum David Monteyne and Brandon Scott
SECTION 1—Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom STUDY THEME A: Democracy IN SCOTLAND 1_Introduction.
What is multi-level governance? Sovereign? The Prime Minister The House of Commons Parliament The Judiciary The UK population The Scottish Parliament The.
Elections and Electoral Systems
Britain and Comparative Welfare States Jan. 12. Overview British Politics  British Political Development  The British Empire  British Decline  Postwar.
 starter activity In 2011, in the 5th ever referendum in UK politics, the electorate voted against a reform to the voting system. Read the article and.
THE UNITED KINGDOM SIZE:245,000 sq. km (About the size of California) POPULATION:61 million GDP per capita: $31,800 ETHNIC:92% White, 8% Other 83% English.
Using your own knowledge (as well as the extract) consider the circumstances in which UK governments have chosen to hold referendums (10)
Devolution in Scotland & Wales Crashing toward constitutional change?
WEEK 8 – IS THE UNITED KINGDOM BREAKING UP?. 2 THE CASE FOR DEVOLUTION … “The United Kingdom is a partnership enriched by distinct national identities.
From Glasgow to Beijing Lesson 3 Government in Scotland and China.
Chapter 27.2 A Profile of Great Britain. A Parliamentary Democracy  Great Britain, or the U.K., is an island nation that includes England, Scotland,
THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN
Devolution / Independence Devolution “The settled will of the people” John Smith Labour Leader Was meant to be a block on nationalist ambitions but it.
Political Parties, Elections, & Interest Groups
Objectives Agenda Celebrate completion of US Gov! Introduce key concepts for UK unit: geography, parties, collectivism & Thatcher 1. Celebration 2. Self-grade.
Great Britain Little England.
Democracy- Lesson 2 Different types of voting systems.
Devolution and Multi-level Governance Created by Mr Nathan Scott – edited by Mrs W Attewell. Before the lecture ensure that you have read and précised.
The British Political System. Who runs the country? Britain is a parliamentary monarchy where Queen Elizabeth II is the official Head of State. However,
The UK Constitutional Arrangement Starter Task 1.Who is the head of state of the United Kingdom? 2.According to British law, one group of people are never.
Northern Ireland Act 1998 The Human Rights Act 1998 Government of Wales Act 1998.
United Kingdom Review Jeopardy Mr. Oakes UK Review.
STUDENT NOTES 1 CH. 2 – THE UNITED KINGDOM AND GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND.
Quick Quiz This is the Scottish Parliament. In which city is it found?
Scotland within the UK and EU: the work and welfare issue.
UK Political Party Presentation
 Reformed number of seats from 785 to 736 MEPs  Britain returns 72 seats  Reformed system in 1998, implemented.
Scotland’s Identity John Curtice Strathclyde University/NatCen.
SHOULD SCOTLAND BECOME AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY? ANALYZING THE SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE QUESTION IRC 10.
First past the post. What is First past the post? FPTP is the voting system used for the election of MPs to 'seats' in the UK Parliament. It is a system.
General Election 2010 What the Parties Say – Making Government Better.
British Political Parties A look at the landscape.
268 Q: How much money does Scotland currently receive from Westminster? A: £30 to £36 billion 267 Q: What is the sum of money called that Scotland receives.
The UK: Country and People 14 January 2016 by Sigrid Brevik Wangsness.
Devolution The disunited United Kingdom. Lesson Objective  As Britain faces trouble from above in the shape of a European Superstate, so does the threat.
John Hacking – Network for Europe.  The Conservatives' election manifesto promised to hold a referendum (a nationwide vote) on whether or not the UK.
Referendums A referendum is a form of direct democracy but a referendum is rarely used in British Politics. In most issues, as befits representative democracy,
S COTLAND FIGHTING FOR THE INDEPENDENCE. Scotland was once an independent kingdom. In 1603 the king of Scotland inherited the English throne. He ruled.
Elections Elections May 5 th 2016 Devolved Government Scotland – Parliamentary Wales – Assembly Northern Ireland – Assembly Police and Crime Commissioners.
KEY CONCEPTS Governing Modern Britain. Course structure Four sections: The British Constitution Parliament The Core Executive Multi-level Governance.
Active Citizens: General election v. Welsh Assembly election In May 2015, there was a general election across the whole of the UK. Members of Parliament.
The Origins of British Politics. A1. England Wealthiest and most populous Dominant language and culture(w/variations) London – Seat of National Government.
Regional Assemblies. UK examples of Regional Assembles:  The Scottish Parliament  The Welsh Assembly  The Northern Ireland Assembly (‘Stormont’) 
The UK Constitutional Arrangement
The UK: Country and People
Law Making The Legislative Process in Wales and the UK
Mapping the United Kingdom
Political representation and democracy
Devolution in Scotland and Wales
British Civilization THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Use the slide sorter view to put the following slides
Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland CH. 2-1
DIRECT DEMOCRACY University of Exeter HUSS Department of Politics
Globalisation Vs Nationalism In The E.U.
Presentation transcript:

Shifting Agendas Moving toward constitutional change & ‘solutions’ for Northern Ireland

The UK after 1945 Constitutional change either not on the agenda or so low down that no one talks about it Instead, other problems loom: Expanding the welfare state Winding down the empire Finding Britain’s place in a changing world:  Britain no longer rules the waves  Cold War  Position in postwar international economy

From the 1950s to the 1980s Domestic: Maintaining the welfare state Coping with industrial decline & a stagnating economy International: Ongoing decolonization International economy Atlantic connection vs. Europe:  ‘Special Relationship with the US or  One of several EU member-states?

Re-setting the stage: Scotland and Wales: Scottish identity always there Scots nationalism evident from 1930s:  SNP founded  Literary thrust However:  largely a cultural movement  No Quiet Revolution But SNP gains support:  ~30% of Scottish vote in 1974 elections

Wilson & Callaghan gov’ts Preoccupied with industrial decline Industrial restructuring Plant closures Industrial strife UK forced to go to IMF for funds in 1976 EU membership: UK joins in 1973 Labour renegotiates – secures small changes Holds referendum in on EU membership in1975

Coping with ‘regional’ questions Propose referenda: Scotland & Wales to vote in referenda Question: Should Parliament should devolve powers to Scottish & Welsh assemblies Decision to hold referenda controversial: West Lothian question Other issues: future of union

West Lothian question: Tam Dalyell (MP for W. Lothian) asks "For how long will English constituencies and English Honourable members tolerateEnglish at least 119 Honourable Members from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland exercising an important, and probably often decisive, effect on British politicsNorthern Ireland while they themselves have no say in the same matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?”

In different terms, If there is a Scottish Parliament, Why should Scotland be over-represented in Commons? Why Scottish MPs have a voice on English issues?

Outcome: Parliament passes Scotland Act of 1978: Devolves some decisions No power to tax But: Referendum: “Do you want the provisions of the Scotland Act 1978 to be put into effect?" Act does not come into effect until referendum held 40% of registered electorate must vote yes

March 1979 Referendum Yes: 1,230,937 (51.6%) No: 1,153,500 (48.4%) ▲

Result Yes: 1,230,937 (51.6%) No: 1,153,500 (48.4%) Total votes cast 2,384,437 Turnout: 63.8% Registered electorate: 3,737,362 YES = 32.9% of registered electorate Parliament repeals 1978 Scotland Act

Problem How much constitutional change took place? Why was constitutional change on the agenda at all? Factors to consider: impact of Thatcherism changing value of Union party politics & the party battle  Who gains & who loses from devolution?