THIS IS A TEST IT SERVES NO PURPOSE

1. Devolution

2. What Is Devolution
• Devolution is the transfer of power from a central
government, to a local authority.
• An example is the transference of certain powers from the
central government in parliament, to the Scottish parliament
in Edinburgh.

3. Devolution vs. Federalism
• Devolution allows a more lenient approach
to the way an area or country is governed.
• Whereas Federalism is restricted in what it
can do.

4. Road to devolution and features
• There are a number of steps that have to considered
when, contemplating devolution.
• Firstly is there a need for devolution, what are the
benefits and what the limitations of devolution would
be.
• Secondly what would the people think, this
information could be gathered through opinion poles.
• Next would be a referendum what would voters think
of it why would it be important.
• Finally depending on the result, an act would have to
be wrote and passed, detailing what powers would be
controlled

5. Devolution in Scotland
• Scottish devolution has always being a topic of
discussion, before the devolution of power in
1999, however a previous referendum in 1979 saw less
than 40% of the population voted so although there was
a majority, it was deemed to be against the interests of
the Scottish people. However the labour government
that agreed to the referendum, lost the general election
and a conservative government against devolution of
powers came to power. It would be 18 years until a new
labour government, allowed to a referendum to be held
and a majority voted in favour of devolution of powers.

6. Scottish Parliament
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The Scottish parliament is based in Holyrood, Edinburgh.
The SNP currently have a majority with 67 seats.
There are 129 MSP.
Elections for the Scottish parliament are held every 5 years
The Scottish parliament building was constructed in 2004 and
opened by he Queen.

7. Devolved Powers
• Although many powers formally controlled by Westminster
were transferred, there are some notable exceptions,
including the following:
• The constitution
• Defense
• Foreign Affairs
• Electricity, Coal, Gas and Oil
• Financial and economic maters
• To name a few, unusually however tax related topics were
handed over to the Scottish parliament.

8. Scottish independence
Yes or No
• Depending on what side of the border you live on you will
more than likely have different opinions.
• For the Scottish people, it would enable greater say over what
there government does and how it effects them however it
would also provide greater economic risks.
• For someone living in England, Scottish independence would
not matter a great deal, however the UK economy would be
reduced in size. There is also a very unlikely chance that the
British overseas status would be diluted.
• The above point also related to the general for or against
argument.