Scotland in the United Kingdom: modernism, territory, devolved institutions and the union

Neil McGarvey, Richard Kerley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Scotland has had a devolved legislature since 1999, though a degree of administrative autonomy has been in place since the late 19th Century. In recent years there has been a growing measure of public support for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom, but public views of this appear to be finely balanced. The country has for a long time had a local government system distinct from that of England, though both emerged from historical parish forms. Since 1996 the system of local government has been unitary, with 32 councils ranging in size from Orkney [ population app 22,000] to Glasgow [ population app 600,000]. All councils have broadly the same powers and competences. Over the past 20 years there has been a continuing low-level tension between the Scottish Parliament and Government and the 32 councils over the appropriate balance of powers and resources between these two entities of intra-state government.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationA Modern Guide to Local and Regional Politics
Place of PublicationCheltenham
Chapter17
Pages263-283
Number of pages20
Publication statusPublished - 4 Feb 2022

Publication series

NameModern Guide
PublisherEdward Elgar

Keywords

  • regional studies
  • devolution
  • local politics
  • Scottish politics

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