Devolution in Scotland: Handout, Transparency, Script

However, certain powers will be reserved for the UK parliament; these are:

• the constitution of the UK

• UK foreign policy, including relations with Europe

• UK defence and national security

• the stability of the UK's fiscal, economic and monetary system

• common markets for UK goods and services

• employment legislation

• social security

• most aspects of transport safety and regulation.

Timeline - Recent implementations of Scotland's quest for self-governance

1997

May 1 New Labour government formed by Tony Blair July 24 The White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" July 31 The Referendum's Act 1997 Sept. 11 Referendum in Scotland (and Wales on September 18) on the day of the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Stirling Bridge and 4 days after the trauma of Lady Diana's funeral resulted in a 3 to 1 decision Dec. 18 The Scotland Bill: Donald Dewar presents a Bill to implement Scotland's first parliament in 300 years, which passes due to a large majority in the House of Commons. This Bill was the 34th attempt at legislating for Home Rule since 1889. The Bill opened with a clause drafted in refreshingly unlegalistic language: "There shall be a Scottish Parliament."

1998

Jan. Scotland Bill was introduced in Parliament Nov. The Scotland Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes The Scotland Act 1998 (as well as The Government of Wales Act and The Northern Ireland Act at the same time)

1999

May 6 First Scottish Parliament Elections May 12 David Steel elected Presiding Officer. The Parliament first met in Edinburgh. May 13 Donald Dewar elected First Minister with 71 votes out of 127 May 17 John Reid succeeds Donald Dewar as Secretary of State July 1 The Scottish Parliament assumes its powers granted under The Scotland Act 1998 by being officially opened by the Queen

2000

Feb. 10 Budget (Scotland) Bill passes all parliamentary stages March 10 Tony Blair, Prime Minister, addresses the Scottish Parliament March 20 Budget (Scotland) Act receives Royal Assent Death of First Minister Donald Dewar (after a heart operation on May 8, 2000 he returned to Oct. 11 work on August 14, 2000) Oct. 26 Scottish Parliament elects Henry McLeish as First Minister Oct. 27 Henry McLeish formally appointed First Minister by the Queen

2001

Jan. 9 Tom McCabe, Parliament Minister, suggests that Executive should be called 'Scottish Government' what meets with immediate hostile response from London ministers Nov. 8 Henry McLeish resigns as first minister over a finance scandal and is replaced by Jack McConnell (Scottish labour party)

Sources

th Edition. London: Routledge, 2000.

Oakland, John – British Civilization. An Introduction. 4 th Sieper, Roswitha (Ed.) – The Student's Companion to Britain. British History, Geography, Life, Institutions, Arts and Thoughts. 8 Edition. Dillingen: Max Hueber Verlag, 1993.

Trench, Alan (Ed.) – In Search of Stability. In: The State of the Nations 2001. Imprint Academic. http://britannia.com/history/nar20hist8.html - History of England, The 20th Century

http://www.citizensconnection.net/home-page/how-society-works/national-government/scottish-government.vdf - Scottish government

3.) TRANSPARENCIES:

People's opinions on Devolution

Is devolution (in Scotland and Wales) to be regretted? (UK specific)