Devolution plus?
After the justice transfer, agendaNi sums up the parties’ hopes to give Stormont more authority.
With criminal justice powers in the Assembly’s hands, several MLAs say it’s now time for Westminster to go further and hand over more power to Stormont.
agendaNi has asked all the Assembly parties for any ‘shopping lists’ for extra powers or, if they were content with the status quo, why that was so. Current dividing lines between London and Belfast are outlined on page 93.
The two top priorities were the level of our taxes and, rather surprisingly, control over the planes that fly over us.
General tax-varying powers are sought by the SDLP, Sinn Féin, Alliance and the Greens. Unionist parties support a variation in corporation tax – a demand across the board. The Azores ruling means the UK Government cannot do this on its own but the Assembly may be able to act.
Fiscal devolution is “essential if we are to be equipped with the tools to build the private sector,” said Sinn Féin. The SDLP concurred and called for “measured” control over the social security system.
For Alliance, Stephen Farry commented: “We are currently lagging behind Scotland in terms of an effective devolved institution.” Tax powers would ensure control over the economy “rather than being the people that distribute whatever money Westminster gives us.”
As the current devolved powers cover most of the day-to-day issues affecting people’s lives, the DUP sees little need for extra devolution, except on corporation tax. The Conservative and Unionist manifesto pledged a government paper on how to reduce the rate, which is now translated into government policy.
Aviation has been explored in detail by the Conservatives and Unionists. Northern Ireland is “disproportionally reliant on air travel compared to the rest of the UK” due to its location, a spokeswoman said. The Assembly and Regional Development Minister could develop a regional aviation strategy to deal with local needs.
Green MLA Brian Wilson also supported aviation devolution as this was “necessary for a comprehensive regional development strategy.” He would also welcome some powers over international development.
For Sinn Féin, nothing is off the table. “It is Sinn Féin’s objective to transfer all political and fiscal power away from Britain back to the people of Ireland,” stated a spokesman.
The SDLP’s longer list includes national insurance and the minimum wage, on economic policy, as well as broadcasting, telecommunications, internet regulation and aviation. Lottery spending, consumer protection, drug policy and local government elections are also earmarked.
Turning to security, the party wants the PSNI, rather than MI5, to have prime responsibility for intelligence; republicans concur. Full devolution of energy and mineral resources is another SDLP priority. Nuclear energy and the seabed’s resources e.g. oil and gas, are currently held by Westminster.
The PUP is “satisfied with the powers the Assembly currently has” but says additional powers, such as tax-varying, should be discussed as and when the need arises.
The transfer ‘test’
Getting extra devolution depends on the following steps:
- Table Assembly motion for new powers
- Win cross-community vote
- Persuade Northern Ireland Secretary to draft transfer order
- Debate order in Parliament
- Win parliamentary vote to pass order
This process applies to reserved matters only e.g. broadcasting
A new Act of Parliament is needed to transfer excepted matters e.g. taxation
