Devolution

Copilot:

 Explain to me how Scotland is governed. I know they send reps to Westminster, but do these vote on all issues??

Scotland is governed through a devolved system within the United Kingdom, meaning it has its own parliament and government responsible for many domestic affairs, while still sending representatives to the UK Parliament at Westminster. Here's how it works:

🏛️ Scottish Parliament (Holyrood)

Established in 1999 through devolution.

Handles devolved matters, including:

Education

Health

Justice

Transport

Environment

Local government

Led by the First Minister of Scotland, currently elected by Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

🇬🇧 UK Parliament (Westminster)

Scotland elects 59 MPs to the House of Commons.

These MPs vote on all UK-wide legislation, including:

Foreign policy

Defence

Immigration

Fiscal policy (e.g., UK-wide taxes)

However, they also vote on England-only issues, which has sparked controversy—known as the West Lothian Question. This refers to the oddity that Scottish MPs can vote on matters affecting England, while English MPs cannot vote on devolved Scottish matters.

⚖️ Reserved vs. Devolved Powers

Reserved powers remain under Westminster control (e.g., constitutional matters, monetary policy).

Devolved powers are managed by Holyrood.

The Scotland Act 2016 reinforced the permanence of the Scottish Parliament, but due to parliamentary sovereignty, Westminster could technically override it—though politically, that would be explosive.

🗳️ Political Dynamics

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has dominated Scottish politics for years and advocates for independence.

Disproportional outcomes in Westminster elections—where Scotland’s vote may not reflect the UK-wide result—have fueled independence sentiment.

Would you like to explore how Scottish independence would change this setup—or how other UK nations compare in their governance?

In actual practice, do Scottish MPs vote on everything?

Yes, Scottish MPs at Westminster do vote on all UK-wide legislation, including matters that only affect England. However, this practice has been controversial and debated for years.

🗳️ Do Scottish MPs Vote on Everything?

Technically, yes: Scottish MPs can vote on all legislation in the House of Commons, even if the law only applies to England or England and Wales.

This includes areas like:

Education

Health

Housing

Local government — which are devolved to Scotland, but not to England.

⚖️ The West Lothian Question

First raised in the 1970s, it asks: “Why should Scottish MPs be allowed to vote on English matters, when English MPs cannot vote on devolved Scottish issues?”

This became especially contentious when:

The SNP began voting on England-only bills, arguing they affect Scotland indirectly (e.g., through funding formulas like the Barnett formula).

Critics argue this undermines fairness and fuels English nationalism.

🧩 Attempts to Address It

In 2015, the UK introduced “English Votes for English Laws” (EVEL):

Gave English MPs a veto over England-only legislation.

But it was scrapped in 2021, with critics saying it was too complex and ineffective.

🧠 Why It Still Matters

Even laws labeled “England-only” often have indirect effects on Scotland:

Changes in public spending in England can alter Scotland’s budget via the Barnett formula.

National policy shifts (e.g., tax or welfare) can ripple across the UK.

So in practice, Scottish MPs do vote on nearly everything, and while some argue this is unfair, others say it's justified due to the interconnected nature of UK governance.

Would you like to dig into how this compares with Wales or Northern Ireland—or how a federal UK might solve this tension?

Tell me about Wales...

Wales, like Scotland, has a devolved system of government within the United Kingdom. It has its own legislature and executive, but also sends representatives to Westminster. Here's how it works:

🏛️ Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament)

Formerly known as the National Assembly for Wales, renamed in 2020.

Composed of 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs), elected every five years.

Responsible for devolved matters, including:

Education

Health and social services

Housing

Local government

Transport

Agriculture and the environment

Welsh language and culture

Some devolved taxes

You can read more on Wales.com’s overview of governance.

🏢 Welsh Government

The executive branch, led by the First Minister of Wales.

Makes day-to-day decisions and implements laws passed by the Senedd.

Includes cabinet secretaries and ministers responsible for different policy areas.

More details are available on Wikipedia’s page on the Welsh Government.

🇬🇧 UK Parliament (Westminster)

Wales elects 40 MPs to the House of Commons.

These MPs vote on UK-wide issues, including:

Defence

Foreign affairs

Immigration

Fiscal and monetary policy

Like Scotland, Welsh MPs can vote on England-only matters, which raises similar concerns about fairness.

⚖️ Legal and Constitutional Notes

Wales shares a legal jurisdiction with England (unlike Scotland, which has its own).

The Government of Wales Acts (1998, 2006, 2014, 2017) expanded devolved powers over time.

The UK Parliament retains the right to amend or repeal Welsh laws, though politically this is sensitive.

Would you like to compare Wales’ setup with Northern Ireland—or explore how Welsh independence might work in theory?

Did Scotland serve s a model when designing Canadian Confederation?

Scotland did not serve as a direct model for Canadian Confederation, but its influence was certainly present—especially through the Scottish diaspora and the legal and political traditions that Scots brought to Canada.

🧭 Scottish Influence on Canadian Confederation

While the structure of Canadian Confederation was primarily inspired by the British parliamentary system and the American federal model, Scotland contributed in more subtle but meaningful ways:

🏛️ Legal and Institutional Traditions

Scots law, which is distinct from English law, influenced Canadian legal thinking—especially in areas like property law and education.

Scottish Enlightenment ideals (e.g. reason, civic virtue, and institutional design) shaped the intellectual climate of many Canadian leaders.

👥 Scottish Presence in Politics

Scots were disproportionately represented in Canadian politics, publishing, and education in the 19th century.

Figures like John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister, were of Scottish descent and steeped in Scottish traditions.

📚 Cultural and Educational Models

Scottish models of learned societies and universities were emulated in Canada.

The Presbyterian Church, with its emphasis on literacy and civic responsibility, helped shape early Canadian communities.

🧩 Confederation’s Design

The actual structure of Canadian federalism—with powers divided between federal and provincial governments—was more influenced by:

The American Constitution (as a cautionary tale and partial template)

The British North America Act (1867), which created a strong central government unlike the looser U.S. federation

🇨🇦🤝🇬🇧 Shared Heritage

Scotland and Canada have long had a close relationship, marked by migration, cultural exchange, and shared values.

A commemorative sculpture was even gifted to Canada by Scotland in 2017 to mark 150 years of Confederation.

So while Scotland wasn’t the blueprint for Canadian Confederation, its people, ideas, and institutions played a significant role in shaping the country’s development.

Would you like to explore how Scottish settlers shaped specific regions of Canada—or how Scottish law differs from English law?

But there was an Act of Union in the 18th C?

Absolutely—you're referring to the Act of Union of 1707, which was a pivotal moment in British history and did influence political thinking in the broader British Empire, including Canada.

🏛️ Act of Union 1707: England and Scotland Become Great Britain

The Acts of Union were two complementary laws passed by:

The Parliament of England (Union with Scotland Act 1706)

The Parliament of Scotland (Union with England Act 1707)

These acts ratified the Treaty of Union, which:

United the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into a single state: Great Britain

Took effect on May 1, 1707

Created a unified Parliament at Westminster

Preserved Scots law, the Presbyterian Church, and other distinct institutions

🧠 How It Influenced Canadian Confederation

While the Canadian Confederation of 1867 was not modeled directly on the 1707 Union, the concept of uniting distinct political entities under a single federal structure was certainly informed by it:

🧩 Shared Themes

                                                                             

🧬 Intellectual Legacy

British imperial administrators and Canadian leaders were familiar with the historical precedent of the 1707 union.

The idea that unity could coexist with regional autonomy was central to both arrangements.

🇨🇦 So, Was Scotland a Model?

Not in a formal constitutional sense, but:

The experience of union and the lessons learned from 1707 shaped British views on how to manage diverse regions.

Canadian Confederation borrowed from British and American federalism, but the Scottish-English union offered a historical example of balancing unity with diversity.

Would you like to explore how other British acts—like the Act of Union with Ireland in 1801—also shaped imperial thinking about Canada?