Prime Time 5, Coursebook mit Audio-CD

5 Different parliaments for different people a) First read this background information and study the timeline. The UK has four parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Although the UK Parliament represents and makes laws for the whole country, since 1999 Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all had the right to make their own political decisions in areas like education or health. There is a separate Scottish Parliament, and Wales and Northern Ireland each have a National Assembly. A timeline on Scotland’s relations with England 1603 Crowns of England and Scotland united, but separate parliaments, churches, laws and coinage. Late 1600s Strict limits on Scotland’s trade with the NewWorld, crippling the Scottish economy. 1707 Treaty of Union with England 1783–1881 Highland Clearances: About 150,000 people forced off their land to make way for large-scale sheep farming. 1934 Scottish National Party founded. 1979 Referendum in Scotland rejects devolution of power from London to a Scottish assembly. 1989 UK government introduces unpopular poll tax in Scotland a year before England. 1997 Referendum: 74.3% of Scots vote for separate parliament: tax-varying powers, control over schools, health service, environmental affairs and farm support programmes. May 12, 1999 New parliament convenes. “This was the parliament adjourned on the 25 th of March in 1707 and is hereby reconvened.” (Winnie Ewing, SNP) b) Now look at the political cartoon on the right. Describe what is happening. do the words below the picture tell you? c) Why do you think every part of the UK wants to have its own regional parliament? 2 devolution: a transfer of powers from a central government to local units 3 to split from: to break away from “You’re not splitting from 3 us, we’re splitting from you.” 65 5 Politics Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum What des Verlags 2 öbv