Introducing Devolution

Topic 1A

What is ‘devolution’, as a political process? 

Broadly speaking, virtually every country practices some form of devolution. In the UK, though, there is a very particular way that often-clashing regions balance local autonomy and national cooperation.

Read “How Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Became a Part of the UK” by Becky Little, in order understand some of the political history that led to contemporary devolution.

In the modern-day United Kingdom, devolution refers to the process through which the central Westminster government has ceded control over specific decision-making arenas to legislatures in the nations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Despite the political union between multiple nations and regions, many groups within the United Kingdom don’t agree with everything the central government does, and/or wish they weren’t as closely tied to other parts of the country. Devolution is a compromise - a way for local authorities to have more power without the United Kingdom fully breaking up. In addition to the historic nations that have their own national legislatures, an increasing number of English counties, including Cornwall, have sought varying degrees of devolved control as well. Skim the factsheet below for a quick overview of UK devolution, and watch the video to learn a bit more about what devolution means for funding. Then, learn more specifics about the history and current status of devolution in Scotland, Cornwall, and Wales by completing the rest of the unit.

Torrance, D. 2022. “Introduction to devolution in the United Kingdom.” Research Briefing, House of Commons Library.

Burns, C., et al. 2018. “Environmental policy in a devolved United Kingdom: Challenges and opportunities after Brexit.”