9781803742502

180374250X

9781803742533

1803742534

9781803742519

9781803742526

9781803742540

9781803742557

"In 1987 Tony Blair's New Labour won a landslide victory in the British elections. To show it meant business, the new government immediately embarked on a major legislative programme, granting devolution to the outlying "Regions" joined with England in the UK. The cabinet papers concerned with this initiative have just been released, and Peter Raina is publishing them, with brief commentaries, in two volumes. This one concerns Scotland and Wales. The papers show just how much interdepartmental work was involved in this comparatively modest exercise, and how dependent ministers were on the Civil Service and their legal teams. They also raise questions which have recently been much amplified. The drive for devolution had contradictory aims - to offer more self-sufficiency and foster development; but also to take the sting out of nationalist movements, so as to preserve the Union. Readers can judge how democratic and how fruitful the scheme really was"-- Provided by publisher.

"This is the second volume in which Peter Raina presents the Blair government's Devolution papers. Here, the focus shifts to Northern Ireland in the midst of the 'Troubles'- a situation where discrimination and bigotry in a society divided by religious and national affiliations, had erupted into hatred, violence and fear. Tony Blair, his minister Mo Mowlam and a team of civil servants and others reached for American help and worked intensely with Gerry Adams, Leader of Sinn Fein, and with the government of the Republic in the South of Ireland to bring the warring factions together. Their efforts were concentrated into an astonishing single month. The Devolution plans, as such, have not stood the test of time, but, with effort from all sides, a fragile truce was achieved and a virtual end to the 'Troubles'. This was an enormous achievement. The papers are an object lesson in how patient diplomacy and negotiation can work, even in the most intractable of situations."-- Provided by publisher.

Volume one. Devolution in Scotland and Wales

Volume two. The representative government in Northern Ireland.

Decentralization in government > Great Britain > History > 20th century.

Great Britain > Politics and government > 1997-2007.

Great Britain. Cabinet Office.