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Devolution is the transfer of powers from a central government to regional or national bodies while retaining ultimate sovereignty at the centre. In the UK, devolution has been one of the most transformative constitutional developments since 1997, fundamentally altering the relationship between Westminster and the nations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Devolution should be distinguished from related concepts:
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Devolution | Power is delegated from the centre; the centre retains sovereignty and can (in theory) take the power back |
| Federalism | Power is constitutionally divided between levels; neither can abolish the other |
| Decentralisation | Administrative tasks are delegated to regional offices (not the same as transferring legislative power) |
| Unitary state | All sovereignty lies with the central government |
The UK remains legally a unitary state because Westminster retains parliamentary sovereignty. However, devolution has created a system that, in practice, resembles federalism in many respects.
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