Activity 1: Create a timeline outlining developments in devolved government in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

 

Learning objective: To understand how devolved government in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland evolved

Suitable for: Individual work

You will need:

• To have read Blick, A. (2021), UK Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Chapter 11
• Access to the internet
• An A3 piece of paper or access to a presentation programme such as Microsoft PowerPoint

Outline of activity:

Create a timeline outlining developments in devolved government in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

On an A3 piece of paper or using a presentation programme such as Microsoft PowerPoint, create columns for each nation and note down key dates and developments related to devolved governments in these regions.

The timeline should run from 1969 until the present day. You should list key developments, including details of referendums, legislation related to the transfer of powers to devolved assemblies, elections for devolved assemblies, and other information you feel is important.

Consider how the progress of devolution in each country has developed.

Need some help? Why not refer to sections 11.1 and 11.2.1 of the book?

Answer guidance:

Consider these questions:

• Has devolution developed in a similar fashion across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
• For each nation, which dates were most important in the development of their devolved institutions?
• Has the development of devolution been symmetrical or asymmetrical? What are the possible consequences of this?

 

 

Activity 2: Compare and contrast the powers of the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments and Northern Ireland Assembly

 

Learning objective: To understand the key features of devolved government and evaluate the different models operating in the UK

Suitable for: Individual work

You will need:

• To have read Blick, A. (2021), UK Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Chapter 11
• An A3 piece of paper or access to a presentation programme such as Microsoft PowerPoint
• Access to the internet

Outline of activity:

On an A3 piece of paper or using a presentation programme such as Microsoft PowerPoint, create a table with separate columns for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and Northern Ireland Assembly.

In the left-hand column, list a particular policy area and note for each legislature whether it has the power to legislate in this policy area or not.

Need some help? Why not refer to sections 11.3.2 and 11.3.3 of the book? The website of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament, and Northern Ireland Assembly are also useful to refer to.

 

Answer guidance:

Consider the following questions:

• What powers do the devolved legislatures have? What powers do they not have?
• How do the powers possessed by the devolved legislature differ? What does this say about the nature of devolution in the UK?
• What powers are reserved for the Westminster Parliament? What, if anything, do these policy areas have in common?
• Do you think the structure of devolution in the UK is effective or not?

 

 

 

Activity 3: Create an annotated map of England, noting the different forms of local government that exist

 

Learning objective: To understand the key features of local government and evaluate the different models operating in England

Suitable for: Individual work

You will need:

• To have read Blick, A. (2021), UK Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Chapter 11
• A map of England (preferably one which shows local authority areas) – this could be printed or, if using a computer, an image from a search engine.
• An A3 piece of paper, coloured pens, and post-it notes or access to a presentation programme such as Microsoft PowerPoint

Outline of activity:

On an A3 piece of paper or using a presentation programme such as Microsoft PowerPoint, annotate a map of England, noting the different forms of local government that exist.

If using a printed outline, you can annotate this using the Post-it notes and coloured pens. If using your computer, you could annotate this using text boxes in a programme such as Microsoft PowerPoint.

You should make sure to annotate and include detail regarding at least one or two examples of areas that have:

• Devolved assemblies (e.g. London)
• Mayoral combined authorities
• Non-mayoral combined authorities
• Unitary authorities with devolution deals
• Unitary authorities
• Two-tier authorities

On post-it notes, make notes of the different types of authorities that exist and the powers that they have.

For the areas you have chosen that have elected mayors, make sure to note the party or parties of the candidates who have won mayoral elections.

 

Need some help? Why not refer to sections 11.3.2 and 11.3.3 of the book? The websites of organizations such as the Institute for Government and Local Government Association are also useful to refer to.

Answer guidance:

Consider the following questions:

• How does the nature of local government differ across England? What powers do different types of local government authority have?
• What does this say about the nature of local government in England?
• What, if anything, do areas with elected mayors have in common?
• Do you think the structure of local government in England is effective or not?
• In what ways does local government in England differ from devolution in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

Activity 4: Debate the statement “Devolution in the UK has been a success. Discuss.”

 

Learning objective: To create an argument about whether devolution has attained the objectives of those who advocated and introduced it

Suitable for: Pair or group work

You will need:

• To have read Blick, A. (2021), UK Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Chapter 11

 

Outline of activity:

With a partner or in a group, hold a debate regarding the statement “Devolution in the UK has been a success. Discuss.”

One side should argue the case that devolution has been a success. The other side should argue the case that devolution has not been a success.

Take 10-15 minutes to make notes in support of your case. Each side then has up to five minutes to outline their case before the other responds.

Need some help? Why not refer to sections 11.3 of the book?

Answer guidance:

Consider the following questions:

• What have been the consequences of devolution in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland? In what ways can they be considered a success? In what ways could they not be considered a success?
• What have been the consequences of devolution to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for England? Has devolution’s impact on England been positive or negative?
• What have been the consequences of devolution for the Westminster Parliament?
• Has devolution attained the objectives of those who advocated it and introduced it?
• Have there been any unintended consequences of devolution? If so, have these been positive or negative?

 

 

 

Activity 5: Create an essay plan for the question: “How centralized a state is the UK?”

 

Learning objective: To apply various theoretical perspectives to devolved and local government and evaluate the effects of the model of devolved and local government in the UK

Suitable for: Individual work

You will need:

• To have read Blick, A. (2021), UK Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Chapter 11

Outline of activity:

Create an essay plan for the question: “How centralized a state is the UK?”

Make notes on what you would include in each paragraph of your essay, making sure to include all sides of the argument.

Need some help? Why not refer to sections 11.1 and 11.2 and 11.3.1 of the book?

Answer guidance:

Consider the following questions:

• How has devolution and local government reform in the UK impacted the balance of power?
• Is Westminster still the dominant locus of power in UK politics?
• How important are the devolved legislatures and local governments within the UK political system?
• Does the balance of power in the UK differ between regions?
• Does the UK now bear closer resemblance to a federal state or unitary state?