From devolution to Brexit

This chapter examines changes in the Scottish political landscape since the 1997 election when the Scottish National Party agreed to support the idea of devolution as a stepping stone for independence. It considers the processes of the Parliament and the benefit for Scotland of having its affairs represented within two political systems. With some feeling let down by devolution, this chapter will explore the successes of the Scottish Parliament and the changes in legislative power arising from the Scotland Act 2016. The chapter ends by considering constitutional vision and territorial divergence and the implications of Brexit for Scotland.