Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales
Executive Council Statement to the 2003 Annual Delegate Meeting ContentsContents
Introduction Page 2
Background Page 3
Voting for Devolution Page 4
The Scottish and Welsh General Elections Page 7
Usdaw’s General Election Campaign Page 10
Labour’s Policies for Scotland Page 12
Labour’s Policies for Wales Page 13
Campaigning after the Scottish and Welsh General Elections Page 14
English Regional Devolution Page 19
Your Region, Your Choice: The Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill Page 20
Conclusion Page 23
Appendices Page 24
Usdaw’s Political Co-ordinators Page 24
Application Form to Join the Labour Party Page 25
Application for Constituency Labour Party Affiliation Fees Page 26
1 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales IntroductionIntroduction
When the Labour Party promised the offer of devolved government to Scotland and Wales in the 1997 manifesto, no one would have guessed that within six months referenda would have been won in both countries and the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly set up and elected 18 months later.
But devolution to Scotland and Wales has been delivered and the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are already making a difference to our members’ lives.
The elections in Scotland and Wales on 1 May 2003 will mark another milestone when the Parliament and Assembly are elected for another term in office. But those elections will be very important ones. The people of Scotland and Wales have the power to decide whether they want the Parliament and Assembly to continue to concentrate on improving public services and the way of life, or do they want them to focus on fighting for more power to be devolved?
This paper sets out the choices for our members: the powers of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, the difference that they can make for our members and the ways we can use these powerful devolved institutions to fight for the issues that matter to us.
With the advent of powers for the English Regions to opt for elected Regional Assemblies those proposals are set out so that Usdaw members can become involved from the very start of the process of devolution, and can help to shape and influence this new tier of government which will impact on all of our lives.
That is what our political work is about – informing, campaigning, changing – because the best people to speak up for Usdaw members are our members themselves.
This paper should not only inform you about devolved government but also challenge you to get involved and to help campaign for the issues that matter to all of us in Usdaw.
2 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales BackgroundBackground
The political landscape in Britain has changed considerably over the last five years.
Many government powers have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament and to the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies. The Greater London Assembly and Mayor control many issues in the capital. Laws are currently going through Parliament which will allow other English Regions to set up their own Regional Government.
In order for Usdaw to continue to effectively campaign politically for our members, we need to understand and influence these devolved institutions.
The Labour Party’s manifesto in 1997 promised to bring devolution of power to those areas which wanted it so that government could be more responsive to the needs of people locally.
Labour Party Manifesto 1997 – because Britain deserves better Devolution: Strengthening the Union
The United Kingdom is a partnership enriched by distinct national identities and traditions. Scotland has its own systems of education, law and local government. Wales has its language and cultural traditions. We will meet the demand for decentralisation of power to Scotland and Wales, once established in referenda. As soon as possible after the election, we will enact legislation to allow the people of Scotland and Wales to vote in separate referenda on our proposals which will be set out in white papers.
London
London is the only western capital without an elected city government. Following a referendum to confirm popular demand there will be a new deal for London with a strategic authority and a mayor, each directly elected.
The Regions of England
The Conservatives have created a tier of Regional Government in England through quangos and government regional offices. Meanwhile, local authorities have come together to create a more co-ordinated regional voice. Labour will build on these developments through the establishment of Regional Chambers to co-ordinate transport, planning, economic development, bids for European funding and land use planning. Demand for directly elected Regional Government varies so much across England that it would be wrong to impose a uniform system. In time we will introduce legislation to allow the people, region by region, to decide in a referendum whether they want directly elected Regional Government. Only where clear popular consent is established will arrangements be made for elected Regional Assemblies.
3 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales VotingVoting forfor DevolutionDevolution
Referenda were held in Scotland, Wales and London, and in Northern Ireland as part of the Good Friday Agreement. All voted for some government powers to be devolved and so the institutions were set up.
Referenda on Devolution of Power in Scotland and Wales
Date % in Favour Date of Elections
Scotland 11 Sept 1997 74.3 3 May 1999 Wales 18 Sept 1997 50.3 3 May 1999
In Scotland 63.5% were also in favour of the Scottish Parliament having tax-raising powers.
The elections for all of the institutions were held partly by Proportional Representation which ensured that the number of seats held by each party was roughly proportional to the number of votes that they received overall.
The system meant that no political party has overall control of any of the institutions. Governing has had to be done by coalitions of parties working together. The next elections, especially those in Scotland and Wales in May 2003, will be keenly fought and will be very important to Usdaw members.
The Scottish Parliament Powers of the Scottish Parliament
Elected in June 1999, the Scottish Parliament is the most powerful of the devolved institutions. The Parliament has control of many major policy areas including:
Health.
Education and training.
Local government, including housing, planning and social work.
Law and home affairs.
Most transport issues, including roads, buses, ports and harbours.
Economic development, including tourism and assistance to industry.
The Parliament also has the power to raise income tax by 3% in Scotland, although so far it has chosen not to do so. It has already shown that not only can it legislate effectively in Scotland it can help to set the agenda for the rest of the UK.
4 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Achievements
In its first three years, the Scottish Parliament has already made many achievements for the people of Scotland – often improving upon conditions in the rest of the UK.
Free personal and nursing care for older people: in contrast to the rest of the UK where only nursing care is paid for by the state, in Scotland older people who are cared for in residential or nursing homes will receive payments towards the cost of their nursing and personal care.
Improved student support: no undergraduate students in Scotland have to pay up-front tuition fees. A Graduate Endowment Scheme has been introduced so that graduates who can afford it make a deferred contribution to the support of future students. Access payments of up to £2,000 have also been introduced to help students from lower income families.
Free off-peak bus travel: for pensioners and disabled people has been introduced, benefiting over a million older people.
Free pre-school education available for all three and four year olds: over 100,000 places are available and take-up has increased to 80% of all three year olds and 97% of four year olds.
Issues directly affecting Usdaw members
With its control of issues affecting public services, the Scottish Parliament directly impacts on our members’ lives and that of their families in many ways. The Parliament can also affect members’ working lives and, where this is the case, Usdaw can work with MSPs to campaign for our members’ interests.
Regulation of trading hours: currently there is no regulation of trading hours in Scotland. Usdaw is campaigning in the Scottish Parliament for large shops to be prevented from opening on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. (See page 14 for more details of this campaign and how you can help).
Lifelong learning: the Scottish Parliament is responsible for the Learning & Skills Council in Scotland. They also controlled the administration of individual learning accounts until these were stopped and will be in charge of the successor scheme in Scotland.
Transport: the availability (or lack of it) of public transport to ensure that members can get to and from work safely is always a key issue.
Assistance for industry: the Scottish Parliament is in control of securing grants and assistance for industry and for economic regeneration.
5 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales The Welsh Assembly Powers of the Welsh Assembly
Also elected in June 1999, the Welsh Assembly’s powers are considerable, although unlike the Scottish Parliament, do not include control of law and home affairs. Policy areas covered by the Assembly include:
Health.
Education and training.
Local government, including housing, planning and social work.
Most transport issues, including roads and buses.
Economic development, including assistance to tourism and industry.
The Welsh Assembly has no tax-raising powers. There was no referendum on this and due to the very small majority in favour of having a Welsh Assembly at all, it is highly unlikely that a vote would have resulted in tax-raising powers. A referendum on the issue may be held in future if the Assembly believes that it could be won.
Achievements
Despite having less powers and resources than the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly has still made considerable achievements during its first three years:
Scrapped NHS prescription charges for under-25s and frozen prescription charges for others.
Introduced Assembly Learning Grants for less well-off students in higher and further education.
Launched ‘Careers Wales’ to give careers advice and guidance to people of all ages.
Support for steelworkers and their communities following the Corus announcement of mass redundancies.
Issues directly affecting Usdaw members
Lifelong learning: the Welsh Assembly is responsible for the Learning & Skills Council in Wales. They also controlled the administration of individual learning accounts until these were stopped and will be in charge of the successor scheme in Wales.
Transport: the availability (or lack of it) of public transport to ensure that members can get to and from work safely is always a key issue.
Assistance for industry: the Welsh Assembly can secure grants and assistance for industry and for economic regeneration as they have shown so successfully with Corus.
6 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales TheThe ScottishScottish andand WelshWelsh GeneralGeneral ElectionsElections
The Electoral System The electoral system for both the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly does not tend to produce a majority for one political party. Therefore, parties have to form coalitions in order to govern.
The voting system is a form of Proportional Representation known as the Additional Member System (AMS). This is intended to ensure that the share of seats each party receives reflects as closely as possible its level of support amongst voters, but it also allows each constituency to have its own representative in the Parliament or Assembly.
Each voter at a Scottish Parliament or Welsh Assembly election has two votes. The first vote is cast for a constituency member who will be the candidate winning the largest number of votes in a constituency (a total of 73 in Scotland and 40 in Wales).
The second vote is for a political party within a larger electoral area called a region. This produces ‘Regional’ members of the Parliament and Assembly.
All members, however they are elected, have the same rights and responsibilities.
The Current State of the Parties
Scottish Parliament
Party Constituency Regional Total MSPs MSPs MSPs
Scottish Labour Party 52 3 55 Scottish National Party 7 27 * 34 Scottish Conservatives 1 18 * 19 and Unionist Party Scottish Liberal Democrats 12 4 ** 16 Scottish Green Party – 1 1 Scottish Socialist Party – 1 1 Dennis Canavan 1 – 1 Independent – 1 1 Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel) – 1 1 Total 73 56 129
*Includes a Deputy Presiding Officer, who can participate and vote fully in the Parliament when not in the Chair.
**Excludes the Presiding Officer who has no party allegiance whilst in post.
7 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Welsh Assembly
Party Constituency Regional Total AMs AMs AMs
Welsh Labour Party 26 * 1 27 * Plaid Cymru 9 8 17 Welsh Conservative Party 1 8 9 Liberal Democrats 3 3 6 Presiding Officer (John Marek) 1 – 1 Total 40 20 60
*Excludes the Presiding Officer who has no party political allegiance whilst in post.
The Balance of Power: 1999 to 2003 In the elections of June 1999 the Labour Party won the vast majority of the constituencies in both Scotland and Wales (52 out of the 73 Scottish constituencies and 27 out of the 40 Welsh constituencies).
However, the electoral system apportions the second votes cast among the parties which did not gain seats in the constituency section in proportion to the votes received. This is why the other parties gain almost all of the regional seats and why Labour does not have an overall majority in either the Scottish Parliament or the Welsh Assembly.
Power is currently held in both the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly by a coalition of the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. The coalitions produce a narrow majority of votes in each.
Votes Needed Labour Liberal for Majority Party Democrats Total
Scottish Parliament 65 55 16 71 Welsh Assembly 31 27 6 33
The forthcoming elections in May 2003 will, therefore, be very closely fought. They also come mid-way between General Elections at Westminster, at a time when support for the Party of Government is generally at its lowest.
Whilst the Labour Party would like to make some gains, particularly in seats which were unexpectedly lost in 1999 such as the Rhondda, most effort will be needed to ensure that Labour holds its current seats so that coalitions with the Liberal Democrats can be maintained. It would not take a big shift in voting, or a great number of Labour voters to stay at home for a coalition of nationalists (the SNP in Scotland or Plaid Cymru in Wales) and the Conservative Party to be able to take control.
8 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales The Key Battlegrounds With the balance of power in both the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly being so close, the elections in May will take on extra significance in the marginal seats.
Those which Labour are targeting to win are as follows:
Scotland
Constituency MSP Party Majority
Inverness East, Nairn Fergus Ewing SNP 441 & Lochaber Aberdeen North Elaine Thomson Labour 398 Aberdeen South Nicol Stephen Liberal Democrat 1,760 Dundee East John McAllion Labour 2,854 Dundee West Kate McLean Labour 121 Ayr John Scott Conservative 5,525* Edinburgh Pentlands Iain Gray Labour 2,885 Glasgow Govan Gordon Jackson Labour 1,756 Eastwood Kenneth Macintosh Labour 2,125
* By-election held on 16 March 2000. In 1999 Labour won in Ayr by 25 votes.
Wales
Key Seats
Constituency AM Party Majority
Cardiff Central Jenny Randerson Liberal Democrat 3,168 Carmarthen West Christine Gwyther Labour 1,492 Clwyd West Alan Pugh Labour 760 Conwy Gareth Jones Plaid Cymru 114 Cynon Valley Christine Chapman Labour 677 Islwyn Brian Hancock Plaid Cymru 604 Llanelli Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru 688 Monmouth David Davies Conservative 2,712 Rhondda Geraint Davies Plaid Cymru 2,285 Vale of Glamorgan Jane Hutt Labour 926
This list includes all of the seats which Labour holds at Westminster, but which were won by other parties in the Welsh Assembly Elections as well as the seats which Labour won by a small majority.
9 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Usdaw’sUsdaw’s GeneralGeneral ElectionElection CampaignCampaign
Usdaw has always helped Labour in key elections and we will be doing so in Scotland and Wales in May 2003.
The aims of our campaign are:
Informing our members about the importance of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly and encouraging them to use their vote.
Encouraging our members to vote Labour and to support their local Labour Party’s campaigning.
Organising support for Labour in marginal seats where Labour representatives have significantly helped Usdaw’s campaigns.
Raising the profile of Usdaw’s campaigns as part of the election campaign.
Our campaigning activity will include:
Writing to our members in Scotland and Wales to inform them about the importance of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, to encourage them to use their vote and to vote Labour.
Producing campaign materials for use by Labour candidates throughout Scotland and Wales which advertise both Labour and Usdaw.
Writing to all Labour members of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly to inform them about Usdaw’s ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign and to encourage them to campaign with our members.
Writing to all members of the Scottish Parliament to urge them to support the Private Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament to prevent large stores in Scotland from opening on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Supporting Labour in Marginal Seats We will be organising support in the following seats:
Scotland
Linlithgow: Mary Mulligan MSP.
Eastwood: Kenneth Macintosh MSP.
Wales
Cardiff Central (Liberal).
Carmarthen West: Christine Gwyther AM.
Vale of Glamorgan: Jane Hutt AM.
10 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Why Labour? Usdaw support Labour because we believe that in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly as well as at Westminster, the Labour Party best represents our members’ interests.
Both the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly have been run by Labour-dominated coalitions since 1999 and their achievements have been considerable. Those of the Scottish Parliament are listed on page 5 and of the Welsh Assembly on page 6.
We want Labour and Labour alone to build on those achievements in the second terms of both of the institutions. Labour’s policies (see pages 12 and 13) form the basis for real progress in both Scotland and Wales.
Why not the Nationalists? The nationalist parties – the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru – have both set out radical agendas.
However, the top priority for both remains total independence whatever the cost to the economies of Scotland and Wales.
Usdaw is concerned that a victory for either or both nationalist parties would result in the devolved assemblies becoming obsessed with constitutional issues ie Scottish and Welsh independence. This would do nothing to improve the lives of our members. Workplace rights, making work pay and family employment issues would simply go to the bottom of the political agenda.
11 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Labour’sLabour’s PoliciesPolicies forfor ScotlandScotland
Overall Economic growth and full employment – building the transport infrastructure and the enterprise environment – companies need to invest and do business in Scotland.
To reverse population decline – building people’s skills and welcoming those who want to live and work in Scotland.
Investment in public services – in hospitals and schools, in protecting our environment and tackling the crime and disorder that blights the quality of life of decent people across the land.
Real increases in spending matched by absolute commitment to parents, pupils, patients and victims of crime that they will come first.
Specific targets for Labour for the second term of the Scottish Parliament are:
Education
More teachers and more new schools – 80,000 more teachers in over 300 new and refurbished schools.
More power to Headteachers, rewards for the best teachers and discipline in the classroom.
Health
More doctors and nurses.
Modern health centres in the community – but also less bureaucracy, more flexibility and patients before profits.
Justice
A record number of police officers who are freed from bureaucracy and able to tackle crime. Also improved court services.
Reforms in prosecution, tougher sentences for the worst offenders, more crime prevention programmes and more police on the beat.
Transport
Upgrading the road network, building new airport rail links and improving public transport.
Helping young people
Education Maintenance Allowances across every part of Scotland to help 40,000 young Scots from lower income families to stay in education from 16 to 18 years of age.
Enterprise and vocational training in all of our primary and secondary schools.
More modern apprenticeships.
12 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Labour’sLabour’s PoliciesPolicies forfor WalesWales
The priorities are public services, jobs and communities to ensure that all the extra funding going into public services makes a real difference.
Specific targets for Labour for the next term of the Welsh Assembly are:
Health
6,000 more nurses, 700 new doctors and 10 new hospitals.
No-one to wait more than 24 hours to see a GP or Primary Care Team member.
Education
All school buildings to be fit for our children.
No young people to leave school without any qualifications.
More people going on to college or university.
Free locally-run sports facilities for all under-16s during school holidays.
Jobs and Prosperity
To help to create 100,000 extra jobs by 2010.
To use European Objective One money to invest in community businesses in deprived areas.
To support the expansion of credit unions.
To boost basic skills and create a culture of training in the workplace through union learning reps.
Housing
To halve the number of run-down houses by 2005 and widen the scope of renovation grants to allow homeowners to apply.
Community Safety
New money to tackle drug crime through the Safer Communities Fund.
Transport
To invest £175 million in necessary improvements to trunk roads, particularly in West Wales and the Valleys.
Funding for safe routes to schools to help halve the number of children killed or injured in road accidents.
13 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales CampaigningCampaigning afterafter thethe ScottishScottish andand WelshWelsh GeneralGeneral ElectionsElections
How to use the Devolved Assemblies to raise Usdaw’s issues The whole point of Usdaw being involved in politics is to pursue our industrial issues through political means where appropriate. Having devolved institutions in Scotland and Wales provides us with more forums in which we can raise our issues and seek resolutions to problems our members face in the workplace.
This section details how Usdaw members can use the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly to promote Usdaw’s campaigns.
The best way to promote an issue is with the help and co-operation of an elected representative. Campaigning without an elected representative is very limiting. However, with the support of an AM or MSP there are many different mechanisms they can use to promote our campaigns, as detailed below: Scottish Parliament MSPs can raise an issue you have highlighted in a number of ways:
Asking a parliamentary question.
Initiating a debate.
Moving an amendment to a Bill.
Introducing a Member’s Bill.
Writing to the Minister.
Meeting the Minister.
Any member of the public or group can submit a petition to the Parliament’s Public Petitions’ Committee. The Committee will consider how to respond to the petition. There are a number of options open to the Committee, including:
Forwarding the petition to another parliamentary body for consideration.
Forwarding the petition to an external body eg a local authority.
Campaign Example: Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (Scotland) Bill
The Christmas Day (Trading) Bill that was promoted in Westminster did not apply to Scotland because it refers to a devolved matter. Therefore, we have to run a similar campaign in Scotland to try to persuade the Scottish Parliament to legislate on this issue.
A Bill has been drafted and submitted to the Scottish Parliament for consideration. The Bill will stop all shops, over 280 square metres, from trading on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It follows the same principles established in the Sunday Trading Act 1994.
John McAllion MSP, supports our campaign and has agreed to promote the Bill throughout its passage in Parliament.
As well as the work Usdaw is doing in the Parliament we are also publicly campaigning, using a petition that will be presented to the Parliament. We have produced campaign packs that MSPs can use to demonstrate their support.
14 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Welsh Assembly Submit a statement of opinion.
Ask a question of a Minister in the Assembly.
Write to a Minister.
Arrange a meeting with a Minister.
Any member of the public or a group can submit a petition to the Assembly, which is informed of petitions by them being published in the Assembly Votes and Proceedings pages on the Internet. The petition will be referred to an Assembly Minister or, if appropriate, committee with responsibility for the matter covered by the petition, who will consider the petition and seek advice as appropriate from the relevant section of the Assembly Government staff.
Note of caution Pursuing an industrial issue through political means is effectively bringing your industrial relations into the public domain. Members need to ensure that they fully discuss the option of contacting politicians with their full-time official before taking such action.
How to contact your local MSP and AM All Labour MSPs and AMs are keen to keep in touch with trade unionists and to help with issues of concern. There are several ways in which you can contact your elected representative, including:
In writing – this is usually the best way. The addresses are:
The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP
The National Assembly for Wales Cardiff Bay Cardiff CF99 1NA
By telephone – normally you will speak to a member of staff. The numbers are as follows:
Scottish Parliament: 0845 278 1999
Welsh Assembly: 029 2089 8200
By e-mail – all MSPs and AMs have e-mail addresses, which you can find on their respective web sites at:
www.scottish.parliament.uk
www.wales.gov.uk
By visiting their surgery – to find out details of surgeries you will need to contact your own elected representative as detailed above. Surgeries give all constituents the opportunity to have a short face-to- face meeting with their MSP or AM. They tend to be quite informal and often appointments are not necessary.
15 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales How do I find out who my elected Representative is? You can find out who represents you either by contacting the devolved institution as detailed below or alternatively the information is available at your local library or town hall.
Scottish Parliament
Switchboard and Public Information: 0845 278 1999.
By visiting the following internet address you can enter your postcode and it will indicate who your MSP is:
www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/msps.html
Welsh Assembly
Public Information Office: 029 2089 8200.
E-mail: [email protected]
By visiting the following internet address you can see a map of the constituencies and details of the AMs:
www.wales.gov.uk/who/amconst_e.htm
The Role of Westminster MPs in Scotland and Wales As explained earlier in this document, neither the Welsh Assembly nor the Scottish Parliament have control of all Governmental issues in their respective countries. Whilst devolved matters are decided by the respective devolved institutions, reserved matters are still the domain of the UK Government and the Houses of Parliament. Therefore, it is essential that Scottish and Welsh people are represented at Westminster.
Most importantly for Usdaw, Employment Law is a reserved matter. This means that it is necessary to maintain good contacts with Scottish and Welsh MPs as a large part of the parliamentary lobbying that we need to do is in Westminster and with the UK Government.
Campaign Example: Argos in Scotland
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 ensures that all shopworkers have the right to refuse to work on Sunday regardless of the reason. However, the 1994 Act does not apply in Scotland.
Traditionally, retailers in Scotland did not take advantage of this loophole in the law, not least because the majority of employers in Scotland are part of UK-wide companies. However, last year Argos decided to force the issue and sacked some of their staff for refusing to work on Sunday.
Usdaw immediately sought the involvement of politicians in an attempt to rectify this injustice and discrimination against Scottish shopworkers. Malcolm Savidge MP (Labour, Aberdeen North) took up the case on Usdaw’s behalf and initiated two debates in the House of Commons.
From those debates The Rt Hon Helen Liddell MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, was persuaded to take an interest in the issue. She met with the Argos management and expressed her concern about the way Usdaw members had been treated.
From that meeting Helen Liddell agreed with Usdaw that there is a need to legislate, so that Scottish shopworkers get the same right to refuse to work on Sunday as their counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Consequently, the Sunday Working (Scotland) Bill is making its way through Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill, with the support of the Government, sponsored by David Cairns MP (Labour, Greenock and Inverclyde).
16 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales The Labour Party Policy Forums Labour Party policy-making is done by discussion and consultation overseen by the National Policy Forum, the Scottish Policy Forum and the Welsh Policy Forum. All three policy forums have elected representatives from all sections or stakeholders in the Labour Party.
While the National Policy Forum formulates UK-wide policy for the UK manifesto of the Labour Party, the Scottish and Welsh Policy Forums formulate policy for their respective devolved institutions and writes the manifestos for their respective General Elections.
The Scottish Policy Forum The SPF produces detailed policy reports on the following subjects:
Crime and Justice.
Social Inclusion.
Education.
Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.
Environment and Transport.
Culture and Sport.
Health and Community Care.
Highland and Rural Affairs.
Local Government and Housing.
These documents are discussed, debated and voted upon at the Scottish Conference and this happens over a two-year programme. At the end of the first year, consultation documents are presented to the Scottish Conference. At the end of the second year, the SPF presents policy proposals to conference which may include majority and minority reports with different policy positions. Conference decides in the second year which of the policy proposals to adopt as party policy.
It is important to stress that the Scottish Labour Party Annual Conference remains the sovereign policy- making body within the Labour Party for the Scottish Parliament manifesto. The SPF submits reports and policy recommendations but party conference decides which policies go into the manifesto.
The current policy-making programme has just been completed with the Scottish manifesto ahead of this year’s Scottish General Election. The next programme of policy-making will start again after the General Election.
Alastair Black – Usdaw Member of the Scottish Policy Forum Alastair Black has stated:
“The Labour Party has taken Scottish devolution very seriously and realised that it was necessary to have a separate policy-making process for matters devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
“Being an Usdaw representative on the Scottish Policy Forum gives me a real opportunity to shape policy to the benefit of our members. We have just completed the first cycle of policy-making ahead of the General Election and Usdaw has been fully involved in drawing up the Scottish Labour Manifesto”.
17 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales The Welsh Policy Forum Under Labour’s policy-making process every party member in Wales has the opportunity to contribute ideas for our policies in the National Assembly. Labour is the only political party in Wales that gives its members such a direct say in policy-making.
Since 1999 some 3,000 Labour Party members have taken part in policy discussions and policy forums. Over 200 detailed policy submissions have been received from all parts of Wales, ensuring the Labour 2003 National Assembly manifesto will be a true ‘made-in-Wales’ document.
After two years of consultation, Welsh Labour’s 2002 Conference has agreed the seven final stage documents, which will now form the basis of our 2003 Assembly elections manifesto.
The WPF produced detailed policy documents on the following subject areas:
Communities.
Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language.
Economic Development.
Education and Lifelong Learning.
Environment, Planning and Transport.
Health and Social Services.
Rural Affairs.
The WPF has completed its consultations, the final policy documents were agreed by the Welsh Labour Party Conference and a manifesto for the General Election has been published.
18 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales EnglishEnglish RegionalRegional DevolutionDevolution
Having successfully set up the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, the Labour Government will proceed to offer devolution to the English Regions. As with Scotland and Wales, the people of the region would have to vote for the formation of a Regional Government in a referendum.
The English Regions (excluding Greater London) South East East Midlands
East of England North West
South West Yorkshire & the Humber
West Midlands North East
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Regional Chambers already exist in all of the English Regions. These non-elected bodies are made up of representatives from business, local government, trade unions and voluntary organisations.
The role of RDAs is to develop a strategy for the economic development of the region and to work with local government and the regional offices of government departments to deliver the strategy. The role of Regional Chambers is to scrutinise the work of the RDAs.
Labour Party 2001 Manifesto “We are committed, as RDAs take on more power, to enhance the scrutiny functions of regional chambers. For some regions this degree of political representation will be sufficient. However, in some parts of the country there may be a stronger sense of regional identity and a desire for a regional political voice.”
19 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales YourYour Region,Region, YourYour Choice:Choice: TheThe RegionalRegional AssembliesAssemblies (Preparations)(Preparations) BillBill
In the Queen’s Speech of 14 November 2002 it was announced that a Bill is being put through the 2002- 2003 session of Parliament to give powers to regions to hold referenda on whether or not they wish to set up an elected Regional Assembly.
The Bill will also give more responsibilities to Regional Chambers and to the regional Government Offices, so that even where no Regional Assembly is set up more planning can still take place on a regional level.
Regions that can demonstrate a clear popular demand for a Regional Assembly will be able to hold a referendum of the voters in that region before the next General Election (which will probably be in 2005).
Elections for each Assembly would then be able to be held early in the next Parliament – probably in 2006.
Responsibilities of Regional Assemblies Elected Regional Assemblies will be responsible for developing a ‘strategic vision for improving the quality of life in their regions, in particular improving economic performance’.
Assemblies would be able to raise additional funds through the Council Tax. However, the amount that could be raised would be capped by Central Government.
Specific responsibilities will include:
Economic Development.
Skills and Employment.
Housing.
Sport, Culture and Tourism.
Transport.
EU Structural Funds.
Land Use and Regional Planning.
Environmental Protection, bio-diversity and waste.
Public Health.
Many of these issues are relevant to Usdaw and our members, in particular:
Economic development: the setting up or assistance of industries.
Implementation of Lifelong Learning policies.
Public Transport.
Planning permission for new sites.
The Regional Assemblies would, therefore, be very important bodies for Usdaw to build links with from their formation.
20 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Usdaw’s Campaigning Role Usdaw has an important campaigning role in the run-up to referenda and the formation of Regional Assemblies if any regions vote for them:
Adequate funding from Central Government: we need to campaign so that Regional Assemblies are allocated sufficient resources from Central Government to enable them to carry out their role and function whilst only raising Council Taxes by a minimum, if at all.
High Levels of Trade Union Involvement: trade unions have a clear role in protecting and sustaining jobs and in ensuring that there are regional structures in place to support working people. We need to ensure that Usdaw are involved in the formation of Regional Assemblies and support members who wish to play a role.
Winning for Labour: Regional Assemblies should be constructive practical bodies prepared to work with the Government to achieve the best for the people of their region. We must ensure that they are not used by opposition parties simply as a tool for criticism of the Government. We must therefore help the Labour Party to win majorities on all Regional Assemblies.
Will the public vote for Regional Assemblies? There is much debate over whether referenda in any of the English Regions could be won. The vote was very close, even in Wales which has a national identity, for an elected Assembly.
Many people are concerned that Regional Assemblies would simply be an additional tier of government to be paid for by taxpayers. To counter this argument, the Government is proposing that if an elected Regional Assembly were set up, local councils would have to become ‘unitary authorities’ – merging the roles of district councils and county councils in areas where there are both.
Campaigns are already underway in many English Regions for fully elected Regional Assemblies. A BBC poll in March 2002 showed that almost two-thirds of people (63%) want them. This includes a majority of people in every region except the South East.
So it is likely that at least some Regional Assemblies will be up and running within the next five years. It is an area that Usdaw needs to monitor closely, with members and activists getting involved directly where they can.
How successful the Assemblies would be remains to be seen but the experience in London shows that Regional Government, with substantial financial backing, can begin to tackle pressing issues soon after election.
London London already has its own devolved government, agreed by a referendum of all Londoners in May 1999.
The devolved government takes the form of a Mayor and a Greater London Authority (GLA) which were both elected on 4 May 2000. The next elections will be held in May 2004.
The Mayor of London has a range of specific powers and responsibilities. The role of the GLA is to scrutinise the Mayor’s activities to provide a check and balance on the Mayor.
Powers of the Mayor of London
The Mayor has “a general power to do anything that will promote economic and social development, and environmental improvement, in London”. This includes setting out strategies for:
Transport
Buildings and land use.
Economic Development and Regeneration.
Culture.
Environmental issues, including ambient noise, waste disposal and air quality.
21 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales The Mayor also sets the annual budget for:
Greater London Authority.
Metropolitan Police.
Transport for London.
London Development Agency.
London Fire Brigade.
The Greater London Authority The GLA consists of 25 members elected every four years. As in Scotland and Wales members are elected both by constituencies and by party lists.
The current state of the parties on the GLA is:
Party Constituency List Members Members Total
Labour Party 6 3 9 Conservative Party 8 1 9 Liberal Democrats – 4 4 Green Party – 3 3 Total 14 11 25
The role of the GLA is to:
Scrutinise the Mayor’s performance and provide a check and balance on the Mayor.
Amend the Mayor’s budget if a two-thirds majority can be reached.
Appoint the GLA’s staff.
Make proposals on issues of London-wide importance.
Provide members to serve on the Metropolitan Police Authority, the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority and the London Development Agency.
Achievements
Police: recruited 1,200 more Police Officers in 2002 with 1,500 to be recruited in 2003 as well as 500 Community Safety Officers.
Fire Safety: ordered 105 new fire engines and cut re-offending by young arsonists by 74%.
Licensing of mini-cab drivers: to be introduced by 2004 to protect women from sexual assaults.
Transport: achieved a 42% increase in London’s transport budget.
Police onto buses: a targeted scheme for passenger and driver safety.
Recycling: secured £21 million to develop recycling across London.
London has shown that Regional Government can start to make significant achievements if sufficient resources are made available.
Time will tell whether other regions choose to follow London’s lead and whether they can secure similar resources.
22 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales ConclusionConclusion
This paper shows that the new devolved institutions are very powerful bodies that can make real differences to the lives of our members. It is very important that Usdaw members, branches, divisions and at national level make contact and build relationships with elected Labour representatives in all the devolved institutions.
Scotland and Wales have their General Elections this year, which offers Usdaw a good opportunity to promote our policies and the support of Members of the Scottish Parliament and Members of the Welsh Assembly. Usdaw is supporting Labour in these elections. We are encouraging members and branches to work with Labour candidates during the campaign, particularly arranging workplace visits so that they can get a better understanding of the issues of concern.
London currently has its own devolved government and their elections will take place in 2004. The rest of England will soon be invited to hold referenda on whether they want to have their own Regional Government. Usdaw members will have their own views on whether devolution is a good thing for their region. However, if the result of the referenda is positive it is important that Usdaw is working with Regional Government to influence policy to the benefit of our members.
Devolution has so far been a success bringing decision-making closer to the people. This process looks set to continue apace. It is crucial that Usdaw’s voice is heard in all the new devolved institutions.
23 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales AppendicesAppendices
Usdaw Divisional Political Contacts
South Wales and Western Division Divisional Officer: Paddy Lillis, Cardiff Tel: 029 2049 0797 Political Contact: Nigel Davies, Swansea Tel: 01792 655121 Political Contact: John Crick, Plymouth Tel: 01752 665951
Eastern Division Divisional Officer: Norrie Slater, Waltham Cross Tel: 01992 709280 Political Contact: Sheila Thomas, London Tel: 020 7323 5550
Midlands Division Divisional Officer: Gary Holz, Redditch Tel: 01527 406290 Political Contact: Mark Jarvis, Redditch Tel: 01527 406290
North Eastern Division Divisional Officer: Mike Brewer, Leeds Tel: 0113 202 6000 Political Contact: George Cain, Newcastle Tel: 0191 232 0531
Scottish Division Divisional Officer: Frank Whitelaw, Glasgow Tel: 0141 427 6561 Political Contact: Ian Fraser, Glasgow Tel: 0141 427 6561
Southern Division Divisional Officer: Dennis Beddoe, Morden Tel: 020 8687 5950 Political Contact: Paul Reynolds, Faversham Tel: 01795 532637
North West Division Divisional Officer: John McGarry, Warrington Tel: 01925 578050 Political Contact: Alf Storey, Warrington Tel: 01925 578050 Political Contact: Bill Snell, Crewe Tel: 01270 588721
or contact Usdaw’s Political Office: Ruth Stoney/David Williams, Central Office Tel: 0161 224 2804
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