The nature of devolution Definition Is devolution entrenched? What seperates us from federalist systems? What type of federalist system do we have? What type of devolution do we have?

🎲 Try a Random Question | Total Questions in Quiz: 273 | 🧠 Study this quiz with Flashcards

This question is part of a full practice quiz:

Edexcel Politics A-Level: UK Politics — practice the complete quiz, review flashcards, or try a random question.

🧠 Flashcards (fast review) 🧪 Practice Quiz ⚔️ Challenge a Friend 🥊 📊 View Stats

There are four content areas in UK Politics:
1. Democracy and participation
2. Political parties
3. Electoral systems
4. Voting behaviour and the media.

1. The nature of devolution Definition Is devolution entrenched? What seperates us from federalist systems? What type of federalist system do we have? What type of devolution do we have?

Ministers are collectively responsible for government policies - However, each minister is also individually responsible for matters that affect his or her department separetly - Ministers are individually responsible for their own performance as a minister and their conduct as an individual Features of the prinicple: 1. Ministers must be prepared to be accountable to Parliament for the policies and decisions made by their department. This means answering questions in the House and facing interrogation by select committees 2. If a minister makes a serious error of judgement, he or she should be expected to resign 3. If a serious error was made by a minister's department, whether or not the minister was involved in the cause of the error, they are expected to resign 4. If the conduct of a minister falls below the standards required, they should leave office and may face dismissal by the PM regardless
1. Holding government to account - The select committees are increasingly significant - Ministers still face questioning in both houses -> MPs still lack expertise and research back up to investigate the government thoroughly -> PMQT remains a 'media' event rather than a serious session 2. Providing democratic legitimacy - The UK's system is stable with widespread consent - Parliament provides strong legitimacy -> The HOL cannot provide this as it is neither elected nor accountable 3. Scrutinising legislation - HOL does an increasingly effective job, often improving legislation and blocking unfair or discriminatory aspects of proposals - Experts in various fields in the Lords use their knowledge to good effect -> As legislative committees in the Commons are whipped, this is largely ineffective 4. Representing constituents - This is an acknnowledged strength of the Westminster system -> It is absent in the HOL -> MPs' care of their constituents varies from MP to MP -> There is still no effective mechanism for removing poorly perfoming MPs
Devolution is a term referring to the division of powers among regions of the country, while actual sovereignty remains with Parliament - Delegation of power, but not sovereignty - Although we do not expect the devolved powers to return to westminster in the near future, it is not the same as a federal settlement which distributes power through the entrenched constitution, as in US - Some have argued that as the power devolved was decided through the use of referendums, the powers are in fact entrenched - This is because it is considered unthinkable that devolved power would return to westminster without a confirmatory referendum -> this kind of semi-entrenched system has become know as quasi-federalism - Unlike federalist systems, the power devolved within the UK has been unequal -> the Scottish government in particular, has been granted more power than Wales and N Ireland. This is known as asymmetric devolution
There was a dramatic increase in voting for the 2 major parties at 82% leaping up to levels seen even before the 1980s Number of possible reasons for this: - Support for UKIP collapsed after the 2016 referendum result - There were very clear ideological differences between the parties - Younger people began to vote again in large numbers, most voted Labour - Voting for SNP in Scotland fell dramatically, with these votes mostly picked up by the 2 main parties

The nature of devolution Definition Is devolution entrenched? What seperates us from federalist systems? What type of federalist system do we have? What type of devolution do we have?

❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com

All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

The nature of devolution Definition Is devolution entrenched? What seperates us from federalist systems? What type of federalist system do we have? What type of devolution do we have?

❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know? Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson© 2026 Fatskills.com

All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com