Government bias, territorial divides and constitutional preferences in Scotland and Wales

This article examines public perceptions of government territorial bias in multilevel systems. Drawing on original survey data from Scotland and Wales, it finds that while devolved administrations are generally viewed as less biased than the UK (state-wide) government, they are still seen as privileging wealthy, urban cores over poorer, rural peripheries. Perceptions of bias are also correlated with constitutional preferences: bias attributed to the state-wide government corresponds with significantly greater support for decentralization, whereas perceived devolved bias is associated with lower support, even after accounting for a wide range of demographic and political factors. Similar, though less clear-cut, patterns are evident for European integration (less so for secession). These findings highlight the importance of perceived territorial fairness in the UK’s ongoing constitutional debates.