The Theory of Devolution

The challenge for British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the devolution elections earlier this month in Scotland and Wales was how to preserve the United Kingdom under a formula fair to all. The results show his strategy was right on target. The two UK regions gained more authority on local matters and London prevailed in turning back separatist demands. Blair’s plan could even be a blueprint for democratic solutions to the growing separatist or autonomist demands in other countries.

When the voices of nationalism rose in Scotland and Wales, Blair knew the time had come to redefine the British union. London had to find the way to cede local power to the local authorities.

In Scotland, voters elected members to their first parliament in nearly 300 years. Blair’s Labor Party won a majority and will now be handling local issues such as education, justice, health, housing, transportation, culture and the environment.

The Welsh voted for their first regional assembly and will now have more administrative power than before, though not the authority to make laws. The big-ticket issues like defense, foreign policy and fiscal and monetary policy will remain under the authority of the British Parliament.

Blair’s Northern Ireland policies, which departed 180 degrees from those of his predecessor, John Major, set the course that was followed in Scotland and Wales. To advance the peace process in the six counties of Britain’s troubled province of Northern Ireland, Blair had to cede powers to a local assembly, and that too was a step toward devolution.

Significantly, Blair’s success could offer guidance for some other countries with separatist or autonomist movements, like the effort among the Basque in Spain.

The road ahead for Blair and Britain is not free from political danger. In both Scotland and Wales, the England-based Labor Party will have to form coalition governments. This means more concessions from London on regional issues. But it also promises stronger bonds for all of Britain and first-class seats for Scotland and Wales.