Terminology

An establishment is an organisation founded for either a (a) religious, (b) educational, (c) professional, or (d) social purpose.

Sovereignty is the idea of an absolute, supreme, independent authority of a state to govern itself, make its own laws, and manage internal affairs without foreign interference.

Nationalism

Nationalism - national self determination. Tied to patriotism, support/love of a country, sovereignty, free from interference.

The rise of nationalism was seen in the 1974 October Election in which Plaid Cymru gained a seat and the SNP gained 4 seats.

Note

Plaid Cymru is the Welsh nationalist party.

1979 Scottish Referendum

Under the 1974 govt., Harold Wilson realised and planned to devolve power to Wales and Scotland in attempt to solve this issue.

This led to the 1979 Scottish Referendum (“Do you want the provisions of the “Scotland Act 1978” to be put into effect?”) in which 32.9% voted yes (51.6% of cast votes), 30.8% voted no (48.1% of cast votes) and 36.4% did not vote. However, despite winning, there was a clause for 40% of the electorate support in order to the act to be put into effect.

This led to the demotivation of Scottish nationalists as seen in the SNP vote share till 1987. However, there was an increase afterwards, motivating nationalists, and going forwards seeing much larger popularity. Particularly, with a spike in Scottish independence prior to 2015.

1979 Welsh Referendum

This led to the 1979 Welsh Referendum (“Do you want the provisions of the “Welsh Act 1978” to be put into effect?”) in which 11.9% voted yes (20.2% of cast votes), 46.9% voted no (79.7% of cast votes) and 41.2% did not vote.

Welsh vs. Scottish

In 1979, Wales had a weak economy alone:

• no tourist attractions
• mostly just farmland
• good history with England - had been conquered for hundreds of years

Setting up a Welsh Assembly would cost money, which as much as Wales had money, it did not have much. This is contrasted by Scotland which had:

• tourist attractions
• real whisky
• bad history with England
• oil

Modern Devolution

from board.

The history of devolution today mainly traces back to 1997, with the election of New Labour. However, the idea had been floated many decades before this, particularly in the 1970s when referendums were held in Scotland and Wales. In Scotland, voters supported the idea but turnout was below the government’s stated threshold for the idea to be introduced. In Wales, the idea was voted down completely.

Northern Ireland did have its own Parliament between 1922 and 1972, but this was heavily dominated by the loyalist/protestant community, in turn helping to cause the Troubles. After 1972, the Parliament was disbanded.

Northern Ireland Background

Notice

AI generated.

timeline
    title From Partition to Power-Sharing
    section 1. Majoritarian Rule (Old Stormont)
        1921 : Partition & Creation
             : NI created. Unionist majority rules alone.
        1929 : Electoral Change
             : PR abolished for FPTP to weaken opposition.
        1967 : Civil Rights Era
             : NICRA formed to end gerrymandering & discrimination.
        1969 : Troops Deployed
             : Civil unrest escalates ('The Troubles' begin).
    section 2. Direct Rule & Failed Attempts
        1972 : Stormont Suspended
             : Westminster takes direct control.
        1973 : Sunningdale Agreement
             : First attempt at power-sharing. Collapsed by unionist strikes (UWC).
        1985 : Anglo-Irish Agreement
             : Margaret Thatcher gives Dublin a consultative role. Unionists outraged ("Ulster Says No").
    section 3. The Solution (Consociationalism)
        1998 : Good Friday Agreement
             : Created new Assembly with mandatory coalition (Power-Sharing).
        2002 : Suspension
             : Trust breaks down (alleged IRA spy ring). Direct rule returns for 5 years.
        2006 : St Andrews Agreement
             : Changed rules to bring DUP & Sinn Féin into government.
        2010 : Hillsborough Agreement
             : Policing & Justice powers devolved.
    section 4. Modern Challenges (Brexit Era)
        2017 : RHI Scandal
             : Government collapses for 3 years.
        2020 : New Decade, New Approach
             : Restoration.
        2022 : Protocol Boycott
             : DUP withdraws over Brexit trade rules.
        2024 : Restoration
             : 'Safeguarding the Union' deal restores the Assembly.