ABSTRACT

Devolution as an issue then took a back seat during the 1980s, though Margaret Thatcher’s very uncompromising English style of rule did nothing to reduce nationalists’ enthusiasm for their cause. Acts of Union in 1536, 1707 and 1800 had apparently set in stone the adherence of Wales, Scotland and Ireland to England, within the UK. But these unions–solid on the surface–in reality were being eroded by the forces of nationalism. The feeling that Scotland required more detailed attentions from London had been reflected in 1885 when the Scottish Office was set up; the Welsh Office appeared much later, in 1965: both offices were headed by a cabinet minister. Nationalist stirrings led the Labour government in 1969 to set up the Royal Commission on the Constitution under Lord Kilbrandon. The Scottish Parliament has the right to pass primary legislation on home affairs and the judiciary, health, housing and local government, farming and fishing, social services and implementing EU directives.