Chapter 11

Question 1

How does the base of Scottish nationalism differ from Irish nationalism?

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Correct Answer: Scottish nationalism is based on language (Gaelic), Scottish law and the (Presbyterian) Church of Scotland.

Page Reference: See page 220.

Question 2

Why do the English regions such as Merseyside and the northeast not have separatist movements as in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales?

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Correct Answer: Although their social and economic profile is similar, they do not have the cultural and institutional differences that act as a focus for separatism or nationalism, so they support the Labour Party rather than Home Rule parties.

Page Reference: See pages 220 and 221.

Question 3

How do per capita government expenditures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compare with figures for England?

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Correct Answer: They are larger in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Page Reference: See page 224.

Question 4

Historically, how do the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland differ?

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Correct Answer: The Highlands were a tribal, pastoral, Gaelic speaking society; the Lowlands a feudal, arable, Scots (a form of northern English) speaking one.

Page Reference: See page 226.

Question 5

What is the main political division in Scotland today?

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Correct Answer: The main division is between the Labour supporting population of Glasgow and the rest of the country where Labour is challenged by the Scottish Nationalists, Liberals and Conservatives in more or less that order.

Page Reference: See page 228.

Question 6

What is the historical basis of Welsh distinctiveness?

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Correct Answer: The Celtic language and Methodist and Congregationalist religion.

Page Reference: See page 234.

Question 7

What are the Welsh Assembly’s main powers and does it have legislative powers?

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Correct Answer: Its main powers are supervising Welsh administration and it has no legislative powers.

Page Reference: See page 238.

Question 8

What is unusual about the islands of Man, Guernsey and Jersey?

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Correct Answer: They have their own independent Parliaments and full control over domestic affairs.

Page Reference: See page 240.

Question 9

Why did the Labour government abandon its plans for regional government in England in 2004?

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Correct Answer: Because of the defeat in the referendum in the north-east of England in that year.

Page Reference: See page 242.

Question 10

What does the Joint Ministerial Committee do, and what is its significance?

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Correct Answer: The Joint Ministerial Committee brings together ministers from Northern Ireland, Welsh and Scottish Executives and the UK government to discuss matters of common concern, and its significance lies in its demonstration of the need for consultation with the regions.

Page Reference: See page 244.