1. BREXIT and power transfer to the nations

2. Reasons behind devolution Scotland
dissatisfaction with central decisions
1950s : GDP growth half that of Britain
1970s : de-industrialisation
Oil : « It’s Scotland’s oil ».
Traditions : since 1707 Act of Union
Administrative system, Judiciary, the National Established Church (the Kirk)

3. Northern Ireland 1886 : Unionists lobbied against Home Rule.
: pressed for partition
1921 : Irish Free State
The troubles

4. Process of devolution Scotland
1998: The Scotland Act 1998
2007 : the Scottish executive rebranded Scottish government
2012 Scotland Act.
2014 Referendum on Scottish independence. 55%/45%
2016 Scotland Act.

5. Wales
1998 The Government of Wales Act. National Assembly for Wales. Secondary legislation.
2006 The Government of Wales Act.
2011: more powers devolved
2014 The Wales Act. Some areas of tax policy.
2017 The Wales Act. Onshore oil and gas, harbours, rail franchising.

6. Northern Ireland 1998 Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland Act.
: first power-sharing executive.
2002: assembly suspended.
2006: St Andrews Agreement.
2010: policing and criminal justice devolved.
January 2017: resignation of Martin Mc Guiness, deputy prime minister.

7. Several issues Devolution and independence
A unitary constitution in the UK (no federalism)
Primacy of central authorities

8. Devolution after BREXIT
Many devolved areas are covered by EU law.
Great Repeal Act
Ex: farming, fisheries and environmental policy. To whom will these powers be repatriated?
The Sewel Convention

9. Another referendum on Scottish independence. March 2017.
Loss of EU funding. Who will make up for it?
Northern Ireland /Republic of Ireland. No hard border.