A DisUnited Kingdom?Will Devolution Strengthen or

Weaken the Union?Jan Erik MustadSenior Lecturer

University of Agderjan.e.mustad@uia.no/ Tel : 47913010

www.janerikmustad.no

Devolution and the Union

• The idea of Devolution– Governance– Identity and belonging– Political parties– Regional autonomy

Devolution and the Union

• Will Devolution lead to the Union’s break-up?– After Britain or a Dis-United Kingdom– The current state of the

Union• History, 1543, 1707, 1801,

1921• Which parameters formed it?• The Heart of the Matter

Devolution and the Union

• Threats to the Union– Internal forces• Scotland• ’The Irish

Problem’• Nationalism vs.Identity• Immigration• Devolution?

Devolution and the Union• Unifying

factors• Monarchy• Religion• Britishness• Outer enemy• EU-USA• Multiculturalis

m• Devolution?