Scotland after the referendum.  Analysis of the results and of the consequences

The article focused on the roots of independence aspirations in Scotland and analyzed referendum in Scotland marked 18. September 2014; also described devolution carried out in 1998; analyzed not only the results of the referendum (by age and region of Scotland), but also the reactions of the UK and the rest of the world; described the referendums in the world after the World War II as well as plans for the future of Scotland.

The article refers to Cornish idea of ‘crawling devolution’ based on recognizing Cornish minority under Framework Convention of national minorities protection and gradual achieving political autonomy level corresponding with modern position of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland in the UK political system. Author reveals façade character of formal arguments contain in the first and second DCLG reports for the Council of Europe General Secretary against implementing protodevolutionary ideas in Cornwall and presents real objections of present UK Government of realizing devolution reform (as a post-Labour heritage) in any part of England. The article presents Cornish people hopes and misgivings précised in local government, political parties (individual and common) and NGO’s selected documents and papers with authors comment in conclusion.

Parliamentary Reform Project in Wales. The (Not)Last Scene of Devolution

The article presents Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill 2023 regulations. Using institutional and legal analysis, interpretation and systemic methods the author demonstrated that implementation of the Bill will constitute an important element of shaping the regional parliamentary system process in which British parliamentary traditions will not be the only point of reference.

English question (West Lothian question) as a consequence of the UK’s „asymmetric” devolution

The article discusses one of the current political problems of the United Kingdom, expressed in the term: West Lothian question. It follows the introduction of „asymmetric” devolution arrangements in the UK and asks whether members of parliament from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales sitting in the House of Commons should vote on matters relating to England, while MPs from England cannot vote on matters which were passed on to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Parliament. The study explains the causes and essence of the „English question” and its political consequences. Moreover, the authors analyzed and assessed proposals to solve the analyzed dilemma and tried to indicate the most optimal solution.