Welcome to the official website of the British Monarchy. Devolution: A beginner's guide. Since 1999, the way the United Kingdom is run has been transformed by devolution - a process designed to decentralise government and give more powers to the three nations which, together with England, make up the UK. The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Devolution essentially means the transfer of powers from the UK parliament in London to assemblies in Cardiff and Belfast, and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
<img name="holdingImage" class="holding" src=" alt="Betsan Powys" /><div class="warning"><p><strong>Please turn on JavaScript. </strong> Media requires JavaScript to play. </p></p></div> Devolution: The view from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland When did it begin? Public votes were held in 1997 in Scotland and Wales, and a year later in both parts of Ireland. What powers are devolved? What powers are not devolved? Devolution in Northern Ireland. Voting systems in the UK. Voting systems, also known as electoral systems, are the method by which we elect representatives. A voting system determines the rules on how parties and candidates are elected. A number of different voting systems are used to elect mayors and representatives to the House of Commons, Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly, European Parliament and UK local authorities.
First-past-the-post First-past-the-post is used to elect MPs to the House of Commons and for local elections in England and Wales. Under first-past-the-post, the UK or local authority is divided into numerous voting areas, i.e. constituencies or wards. Ballot papers are then counted and the candidate that has received the most votes is elected to represent the constituency or ward. Alternative Vote (AV) The Alternative Vote is used to elect the majority of chairs of select committees in the House of Commons. Supplementary Vote (SV) The SV system is very similar to the AV system. British politics | Economist - World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance.