Alternatives for the

Governance of Scotland

Devo Max, Federalism and

Independence
 Proposed Alternative Methods of
Government
‘Devo Max’ Federalism Independence

Advocated by SNP in • Advocated by Corbyn & Advocated by SNP and

2015 Dugdale in 2017 Greens
Would look like full manifesto & by Lib Would look like complete
fiscal autonomy Dems separation from UK.
(everything but defense • Might look like more (White paper sets out
and foreign policy given regional assemblies in 2014 scenario)
to Scotland) England OR 4 nations + Possibly rejoining EU;
+ Neutralise calls for model. ultimate accountability.
independence & give even • + Would answer the - Opinion polls show
greater accountability to West Lothian question inconsistent support in
Scot Par and address the recent years. Nation still
- Loss of Barnett democratic deficit of divided. Economic
Formula may mean a EVEL fairly. situation may worsen
large gap in public • - Lack of appetite for especially in aftermath
revenue due to falling this, particularly in of COVID pandemic.
oil/lack of taxes England.
 DEVO-MAX:

• Scotland is granted all powers APART FROM

defence and foreign relations. This would
include Full Fiscal Autonomy (FFA).
• FFA = the Scottish Parliament would receive
ALL taxes raised in Scotland, making it
FULLY responsible for spending in Scotland.
• The Scottish Parliament would make
payments to the UK government to cover
Scotland’s share of the costs for UK-wide
services like defence and conducting foreign
affairs.
 Federalism
• A complete change to the constitution and
political structure in the UK.
• England could be split into several regions which
would also have some form of self-government in
the same way as Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland.
• All regions of the country would have the exact
same powers (so different from devolution!).
• The UK Government would retain control over
issues such as currency and defence, as a whole
UK-wide response is needed.
 SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

• Scotland would be an independent country

separate from the rest of the UK.
• The EXACT nature of this is often debated
however if the 2014 example is used as a
basis, Scotland would not break the Union of
the Crowns (i.e would retain the Monarchy)
and would remain a member of the
Commonwealth (i.e FRIENDS!)
• All political and financial decisions would
be Scotland’s alone.
“There are a number of possible alternatives for the
future governance of Scotland.” Discuss. (20) or
Evaluate the possible alternatives for the governance of
Scotland (12)
• Intro: state which alternatives you will
discuss in the essay - “This essay will
discuss..” (20 mark only)
• Par 1: DEVO MAX
• Par 2: FEDERALISM
• Par 3: INDEPENDENCE
• Conclusion: “It is clear that there are many
possible alternatives for the governance of
Scotland…”
 Research/Decision making Task
- Choose which alternative form of governance you
believe is best.
- Create an academic poster detailing why that
alternative is the best option for Scotland’s future.
Be detailed and provide specific examples to back
up your point.
- You must also provide two specific reasons as to
why that alternative may have a negative influence
on Scotland and its people (this will highlight you
understand that all alternatives come with
uncertainty as we CANNOT predict the future!)
 DEVO-MAX: Pros and Cons
Pros of Devo-Max
Gives Scotland far greater FLEXIBILITY in
choosing what projects to fund and what
types of policies to pursue. For example, a
continuation of free prescription services.
Devo-Max is popular with voters, particularly
those UNIONISTS who believe Scotland
should remain within the United Kingdom.
However, it is also popular with those who
support devolution and feel that an
extension of powers for the Scottish
Parliament would allow more good work to be
done in the country under Scots rule.
e.g. in July 2012 (2 years prior to the
independence referendum) 36% of those
Cons of Devo-Max
The Institute of Fiscal Studies has
stated that there is a significant gap
between current Scottish Government
spending and the tax that is actually
generated in Scotland. They looked at
the financial year at 2015-16 and
calculated there was a shortfall of £7.6
billion in Scotland’s budget.
However, Devo-Max is not popular with
those who support independence as they
feel it maintains ties to Westminster,
and therefore ultimate rule by the UK
government over Scotland. Some
politicians don’t like this option either
as they argue that although it looks
quite simple in practice, there would
still need to be complicated
 Pros of Devo-Max
Many supporters of Devo-Max already
point out how Scotland has economically
flourished under devolution, whilst also
remaining part of the UK.
e.g. In August 2018 the BBC reported
that Scottish economic growth was
strong, growing by 0.4% in the previous
financial quarter - higher than a 0.2%
prediction.
Cons of Devo-Max
The Calman Commission DID NOT
recommend full fiscal autonomy for
Scotland, something that many
opponents of Devo-Max point out.
Many argue that devolution has already
done enough to interrupt centralised
control from Westminster and any
further changes would create too big a
gap with the rest of the UK and could
upset relations with England and Wales.
e.g. In 2016 the Scottish Government
was given FULL CONTROL over income
tax and in December 2017 Nicola
Sturgeon announced changes to tax
bands in Scotland.
 Federalism
• A complete change to the constitution and
political structure in the UK.
• England would be split into several regions which
would also have some form of self-government in
the same way as Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland.
• All regions of the country would have the exact
same powers (so different from devolution!).
• The UK Government would retain control over
issues such as currency and defence, as a whole
UK-wide response is needed.
 FEDERALISM: Pros and Cons

Pros of Federalism Cons of Federalism

This system would require the Many supporters of

constitution of UK to be
written in a CODIFIED
manner meaning that all of
it’s best elements could be
retained and such as the idea
of shared values and rights.
Commonly used system in
many other nations (see hand- continue to have internal political
out for full detail)
independence highlight that
when it comes to “whole country”
issues England would still
dominate due to it’s size of
population in comparison to the
other regions of the UK.
Federalism would not change
this issue.
However, many other nations
issues and in a country like the UK,
this would only serve to make the
often strained relationships
 Pros of Federalism
There are growing groups of people
in England and Wales who also
support more self-government for
their regions, such as the group
‘Yorkshire First’.
Some political academics and
journalists argue that in the face of
such change and disunity,
Federalism is increasingly
becoming a genuine option to give
citizens closer access to decision-
making.
e.g. Both The Telegraph and The
Guardian have published articles
declaring that Federalism is the
“only option” for the future
constitution of the UK.
Interestingly, both papers sit at
Cons of Federalism
With so much change and volatility in
UK politics, some argue now is not the
time to suggest such far reaching
changes that would have a hugely
significant impact. It is opposed by
those who favour the status quo and
by the UK government as it something
of an ultimate threat to their
sovereignty (overall power). It is
also fair to suggest there could be
disagreements over where the
boundaries lie between one English
region and another, this could create
negative relationships across the UK.
e.g. Political academics use London as
an example– it is often described as a
‘mega-city’, similar to New York, which
could be viewed as a threat by the
other English regions. Scotland and
 SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

• Scotland would be an independent country

separate from the rest of the UK.
• The EXACT nature of this is often debated
however if the 2014 example is used as a
basis, Scotland would not break the Union of
the Crowns (i.e still have the Queen) and
would remain a member of the
Commonwealth (i.e FRIENDS!)
• All political and financial decisions would
be Scotland’s alone.
 Pros of Independence
Currently independence is being
discussed in the context of the
BREXIT referendum. Many argue
that as Scotland voted to remain in
the EU they should be an
independent country with the option
of joining the EU. eg. In Scotland all
32 areas voted to remain in the EU
and this equated to 62% of the voters
voting to remain.
Some may argue that Scotland would
have more means and freedom to
defend its own culture and identity.
eg. Some argue that Scotland is more
liberal that the rest of the UK and
being independent would allow for the
government to introduce more
‘Scottish solutions for Scottish
Cons of Independence
Quitting the UK does not guarantee
Scotland's EU membership. In fact,
some first level European politicians
have already explained that Scotland
would join the queue of countries
requesting EU membership. eg. the
European Commission President, José
Manuel Barroso, said it would be
"difficult, if not impossible" for an
independent Scotland to join the EU.
There could be social problems
linked to the separation of the
countries, some may question the idea
of a Scottish identity. Many Scots
would like to remain British, many
Scots live England, Wales and
Northern Ireland, and there are many
mixed families. eg. Around a third of
 Pros of Independence
An independent Scotland would have
control over it’s oil revenue and
would also be able to fully develop
and realise it’s potential in regards
to renewable energy etc.
The David Hume Institute has stated
that “Scotland is sitting on oil and gas
revenues worth up to £4 trillion” and
according to the Scottish
Government, roughly 64% of the EU’s
oil reserves exist in Scottish waters.
Cons of Independence
Scotland’s levels of public
spending would be incredibly
difficult to maintain at current
levels without significant tax
rises. There is no guarantee
that oil revenues will remain at
their current highs and coupled
with an aging population, this
brings huge financial uncertainty.
 Research/Decision making Task
- Choose which alternative form of governance you
believe is best.
- Create an academic poster detailing why that
alternative is the best option for Scotland’s future.
Be detailed and provide specific examples to back
up your point.
- You must also provide two specific reasons as to
why that alternative may have a negative influence
on Scotland and its people (this will highlight you
understand that all alternatives come with
uncertainty as we CANNOT predict the future!)
“There are a number of possible alternatives for the
future governance of Scotland.” Discuss. (20) or
Evaluate the possible alternatives for the governance of
Scotland (12)
• Intro: state which alternatives you will
discuss in the essay - “This essay will
discuss..” (20 mark only)
• Par 1: DEVO MAX
• Par 2: FEDERALISM
• Par 3: INDEPENDENCE
• Conclusion: “It is clear that there are many
possible alternatives for the governance of
Scotland…”
Par 1: DEVO MAX

K – Explain what DEVO MAX would look like.

Give a PRO of DEVO MAX
A – Explain why would this alternative would
be positive for Scotland.
K – Explain a CON of DEVO MAX
A – explain why this alternative would be
negative for Scotland.
E – Sum up the alternative – is it more
positive or negative?
Par 2: FEDERALISM
Same pattern as the DEVO MAX paragraph
before

Par 3: SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

Same pattern as the DEVO MAX paragraph
before
• Remember to use as many examples
possible in these paragraphs to make your
point clear
“The IFS have suggested that in an
independent Scotland there would be…”
Final Conclusion
It is clear that there are many possible
alternatives for the governance of Scotland
however, it is obvious that Independence for
Scotland is the best alternative for the
future. This is due to the fact that the
number of people who support independence
has been shown to be growing quickly in recent
years. However, it should be recognised that
both Devo-Max and Federalism in the UK,
could also please many different citizens who
do not support independence. (E) (S)
 “There are a number of
possible alternatives for
the future governance of
Scotland.” Discuss. (20)