‘The Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour manifestos offer markedly different visions for the future of devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland after the 2024 UK General Election . At one extreme, the Liberal Democrats offer fundamental constitutional reform. If elected, they have promised to “transfer greater powers away from Westminster and Whitehall” by “[strengthening] the voices of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland” as part of a “written constitution for a federal United Kingdom”. They would, inter alia, “complete” the further devolution of powers set out in the Smith and Silk Commissions, strengthen mechanisms for intergovernmental working and dispute resolution, and remove the ability of the UK Parliament unilaterally to amend devolved competence or legislate in devolved areas. At the other extreme, the Conservative Party manifesto marks the end of the road for the further devolution of powers or the deeper entrenchment of devolved institutions. The devolved governments, they say, “now have the right balance of powers to deliver for the people [of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland]”. The Conservative Party’s focus therefore falls on holding the devolved governments responsible for their performance, making devolved governments more accountable within the devolved legislatures, encouraging the decentralisation of power away from Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and Stormont, and strengthening the role, powers and visibility of the UK Government, including in devolved areas.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 20th June 2024

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org