Devolution refers to the decentralisation of powers from the central legislature to regional legislatures. It differs from federalism because while in a federal system, the decentralisation is guaranteed by the constitution, devolution can theoretically be revoked at any time.
In the UK, devolution refers to powers being given by the British Parliament to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd, and the various mayors and combined authorities in England.
Devolution in the UK is asymmetrical, meaning that not every parliament and authority is given the same powers. While the regional English authorities are by far the weakest of the various devolved areas, there is a difference in the powers they hold, with the Greater London Authority, led by the Mayor of London, more powerful than the West Midlands Combined Authority, led by the Mayor of the West Midlands, for example.
Equally, Wales has a weaker devolution settlement (meaning the Senedd has power over fewer things) than Scotland. Northern Ireland has a unique devolution settlement as a result of the Good Friday Agreement to end the Troubles.
Devolution was granted to Wales following a referendum in 1997, whereby 50.3% of voters were in favour of Welsh devolution. In 1998, the Government of Wales Act passed Parliament, and the National Assembly for Wales was created. Initially given few powers, the National Assembly was granted powers over more areas following Acts of Parliament in 2006, 2014, and 2017. In 2020, in order to reflect the higher level of power it now possesses, the National Assembly changed its name to Senedd Cymru, or Welsh Parliament in English.
With its devolved powers, the Senedd has passed many laws that apply only to Wales. This is why prescriptions are free in Wales, Welsh students receive a grant as part of their Student Finance, and there is a default 20mph speed limit across Wales. However, there are many areas that the Senedd is not able to make laws on. These are known as “reserved powers” as the power to change these areas are reserved to the British Parliament in Westminster. These include areas such as the constitution and defence.
Many political parties in Wales, particularly Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour are calling for further devolved powers. At the moment, many are calling for powers over the Welsh justice system to be devolved to the Senedd. While a separate Scottish justice system was a condition of the Treaty of Union in 1706, England and Wales have had a single, joint justice system for centuries. The current British government has said that they do not plan on devolving justice to Wales.
The majority of Welsh people are in favour of Welsh devolution, with a poll by Redfield and Wilson conducted in May of this year showing that 60% of people believe that Wales should have its own parliament. While there are those who favour abolishing the Senedd, devolution for Wales and the rest of the UK, is here to stay.