ABSTRACT
As described above, the devolution process in the UK has played out very differently across its various constituent parts. This has led some to describe the resulting structure as asymmetrical and to compare the UK’s structure with the Spanish system of autonomías. Although there are lessons to be learnt from the Spanish example, it is dangerous to draw the comparisons too closely. The UK practises an extreme form of asymmetrical devolution, if it can be truly described as such, where the largest state has no regional tier. There is no overarching legislation, constitutional or otherwise, as seen in Spain. This has led Burrows to coin the phrase ‘haphazard’ (rather than asymmetrical) devolution to describe the UK’s unique regional structure. This she sees as emerging from a pragmatic rather than a principled approach to regional government (Burrows, 2000, p 27). This creates a flexible structure, which could be an advantage as the devolution process progresses. It also creates a structure that is open-ended. As the UK lacks a traditional court to define the limits of this process, the comparison with Spain appears very weak indeed.
