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Friday, April 17, 2009

L1 British civilization Agen, British Institutions, Mock exam, suggested answers

Examen blanc, Civilisation britannique L1 British Institutions avril 2009-04-17

Suggested answers
(Many other answers may be correct, but these answers may help you prepare for the exam)

Understanding the article

a) The Labour party had hoped that devolution – that is, limited autonomy for Scotland – would satisfy the Scottish people and therefore reduce support for the Scottish nationalists, a party who want complete independence from England.
b) The main difficulty is to make a suitable link between Scottish government spending and taxes paid by Scottish people.
c) « Assigning revenues » means reserving the money which the government receives from certain taxes. This money then could only be spent by the devolved Scottish governments. The journalist gives the example of VAT.
d) The supporters of independence say that the economy of Ireland has been very successful recently, and that Scotland could be successful too if the Scottish government controls taxation completely.
e) The Scottish people who do not believe in full independence might get angry, in particular if in a more autonomous system there is less money for public services in Scotland.
f) Some English people are unhappy because they believe that English taxpayers are paying for Scottish services, since in Scotland more money is spent than raised by taxes.


Understanding the context

A He is talking about the period from 1979 to 1997, when all of Britain was under a Conservative government, even though in Scotland there was very little support for the Conservative party.

B In this context, a « unionist » is a person or a party who believes the union between Scotland and England is a good thing, that is to say someone who is opposed to Scottish independence. (Not to be confused with the other meaning of ‘unionist’ in another context – a member of a trade union).

C At the referendum, held in 1997, the Scottish voted « Yes » to two questions – the first vote showed they were in favour of a Scottish parliament, and the second showed that they wanted this parliament to have the power to raise taxes. The following year, the Scottish parliament was established, and given limited power over income tax rates. They have not yet used this power.

D Westminster, in this context, refers to the British parliament in London, in the palace of Westminster.

Understanding the general issues

In Wales, as in Scotland, there is a history of nationalism and a desire for Independence. The political party Plaid Cymru is the Welsh equivalent of the Scottish National Party. The history of Welsh nationalism is a long one. Notable events of the twentieth century include the gradual acceptance of the Welsh language on television and in educational institutions where it had previously been ignored or repressed. In the nineteen seventies, the Free Wales Army used direct action against what it thought was English oppression. In particular they burned second houses belonging to English people, since they believed these second houses were raising house prices and making life more difficult for Welsh people. However, in 1979 a firs referendum rejected devolution.

The Blair government organized in 1997 a second referendum on devolution in Wales. A very small majority (50.3%) voted « Yes ». There was no question of allowing the Welsh parliament to raise taxes, however. The Conservative party campaigned for a « No » vote, but all the other major parties campaigned for a « yes » vote. The Welsh assembly was established the following year.

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