Decentralising the UK: The Federal Argument

Abstract

In a bid to resolve the problems caused by excessive centralism the UK government has embarked on a process of decentralisation of governmental power. The decentralisation model which has been chosen for this purpose is devolution. Successful referenda in various parts of the UK have led to legislation to establish legislative bodies for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and London. The devolution model raises a number of problems, and the question arises whether this is the best way to decentralise the UK. This article argues that, while devolution is better than the old centralism, there is a better and more appropriate decentralisation model. This model is federalism. In arriving at this conclusion, the article presents an analysis of the case for and against afederal UK.