The Scotland Act 1998 (an Act of the UK Parliament) created a Scottish Parliament and passed to it the powers to make laws on a range of issues. These powers were extended by the Scotland Act 2012.
The issues upon which the Scottish Parliament can make laws are known as
devolved matters.
However, some issues – in general, those with a UK-wide or international impact – remain the responsibility of the UK Parliament alone.
The issues upon which only the UK Parliament can make laws are known as
reserved matters.
Devolved matters
Devolved matters include:
- agriculture, forestry and fisheries
- education and training
- environment
- health and social services
- housing
- law and order (including the licensing of air weapons)
- local government
- sport and the arts
- tourism and economic development
- many aspects of transport
Reserved matters
Reserved matters include:
- benefits and social security
- immigration
- defence
- foreign policy
- employment
- broadcasting
- trade and industry
- nuclear energy, oil, coal, gas and electricity
- consumer rights
- data protection
- the Constitution
Scotland has a First Minister, or the Mc Fuhrer to be more accurate who sees himself as the de-facto ruler and head of government. David Ca-moron is the ineffectual Prime Minister of all of the UK, and Her Maj is the Head of State who has to live with the mess the career politicians create, a bit similar to a President but without the debt to campaign contributors.
I am Scottish with a traceable lineage of almost 400 years, however as my primary residence is currently in England I dont get a vote, Vladamir Voos straight off the boat from Eastern Europe and despite not being even an EU citizen will get to vote if he registers, even if hes only 16.
Ironically if McFuhrer wins I will get a vote who can form the government I didnt want created in the first place.
You are having a very important referendum soon. Is you Government like ours (Canada) with a Prime Minister and the Queen more of a figurehead? Or does the English Government have more control of Scotland's day to day running.