Devolution and British Politics

Contemporary Review, Sept, 2004

Devolution and British Politics. Michael O'Neill, editor. Longman. [pounds sterling]19.99 p.b. xvi 388 pages. ISBN 0-582-47274-1. This collection examines the United Kingdom in the wake of the Blairite creation of devolved government in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The essays in this collection examine particular aspects of the means whereby decision-making has been transferred from central government to new, devolved governments.

Has the latest political fad had any real benefit? Has it instead only created more politicians, more bureaucrats, more power for the Labour Party in Scotland and Wales and more topics for academic studies? The fifteen papers discuss the first three questions in four sections preceded by an introduction by the editor: the history of the creation of a unitary state and movements for devolution; the modern devolution movement (from the 1980s); the Blairite changes along with the impact of the E.U. on changing British politics; and, finally, four papers reflecting on the effects so far of these changes and on the proposals for yet more 'parliaments' in various parts of England.