Can the Scottish Parliament pass laws concerning all issues?
The Scottish Parliament, established in 1999 following a referendum, has significant powers to legislate on a range of devolved matters. These include things like education, healthcare, and some aspects of transport and the environment within Scotland. However, it's crucial to remember that Scotland is still part of the United Kingdom, and certain powers are reserved solely for the UK Parliament in Westminster. These reserved powers include areas of national importance that affect the entire UK, such as defence, foreign policy, immigration, and social security. So, while the Scottish Parliament has considerable autonomy, it cannot pass laws on absolutely every issue. This division of powers ensures a balance between local governance and the overall unity and security of the UK. Thinking that the Scottish Parliament can legislate on all issues would be incorrect because it overlooks the reserved powers held by the UK Parliament.
Remember that although the Scottish Parliament can make laws on many issues, some areas like defence and foreign affairs are still under the UK government's jurisdiction.