ABSTRACT
The creation of devolved institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has added a new tier of government to the UK’s multi-level polity. The devolution settlement implemented by the Blair government gave new institutional expression to the distinctive character of the four component parts of the multinational UK state. But devolution IBTCFFO BTZNNFUSJD FBDIOBUJPO JT HPWFSOFE JO B EJýFSFOUXBZ%FWPMVUJPOIBT BMTP radically changed the traditional constitution, requiring new procedures to manage relations between the nations of the UK and reform of central government. The new arrangements bedded down without major incident, but the process of devolution has not yet reached its final destination and a referendum on full Scottish independence is likely to be held in the near future.
