How are London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland governed?
As a result of the establishment of a Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and a Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, the people of Scotland and Wales now have greater control over their own affairs. Elections to both of these new institutions were held in May 1999. The Scottish Parliament has 129 members — 73 directly elected on a constituency basis and 56 elected by proportional representation. The parliament will run on a four-year fixed term. It is able to make laws on a wide range of matters, including health and education, and to raise or lower the rate of income tax. Scotland also continues to elect Members of Parliament who sit in the House of Commons, London. The Welsh Assembly has 60 members, directly elected every four years. It has many responsibilities, including the ability to amend laws passed by Parliament which affect Welsh areas. Following the multi-party talks which concluded in Belfast in April 1998 with what became known as the ‘Good Friday Agreement’, referendums were held in
