News and opinion
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Devolution or delegation? What the revolt of the metro mayors over lockdown tells us about English devolution
Will the row between Westminster and the metro mayors over Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns lead to reforms to create a decentralised administrative model in England? Michael Kenny and Tom Kelsey, Bennett Institute for Public Policy, discuss.
The Politics of Scotland's Public Finances
Taken from his chapter in The Oxford Handbook of Scottish Politics, David Heald, University of Glasgow, discusses the intergovernmental conflicts between the UK Government and devolved governments in the context of UK devolution finance.
Local government's place in the Scottish polity: time for a re-think?
Devolution rapidly transformed Scotland's political executive, legislature and party system, however, its impact on local government has been more muted as local government structure remains that inherited from the Conservatives in 1995-96. Neil McGarvey, University of Strathclyde, argues that it is time for Scotland to develop its own approach to local government.
The 'Scottish approach' to Policymaking
In his chapter for the Oxford Handbook of Scottish Politics, Paul Cairney examines the alleged distinctiveness of Scottish policymaking. These comparisons tend to be with UK government, which ignores the opportunity for wider comparative assessment.
The Scottish Parliament
Emily St. Denny explains the process of designing the Scottish Parliament and asks, has the Scottish Parliament lived up to the political and policy hopes associated with devolution?
Fluctuating Fortunes, but a Permanent Presence? Small Parties in Scotland
Alistair Clark, Newcastle University, discusses small parties in Scotland since devolution for his chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Scottish Politics arguing that smaller parties will be a permanent presence in Scottish politics even if their fortunes vary.
Under the spotlight: the civil service in the Scottish devolved system
Building on themes in his chapter in The Oxford Handbook of Scottish Politics, Richard Parry discusses the unprecedented scrutiny now being faced by Scottish civil servants.
Scottish Labour
In their chapter for the Oxford Handbook of Scottish Politics, Gerry Hassan and Eric Shaw trace the fall of Scottish Labour as Scotland's dominant party.
