1997 Welsh Devolution Referendum

Background

The 1997 Welsh Devolution Referendum was a pre-legislative referendum held in Wales on 18 September 1997 over whether there was support for the creation of an assembly for Wales with devolved powers. This was a significant event in the political history of the United Kingdom, as it marked a shift towards greater autonomy for Wales.

Political Context

In the 1997 general election, the Labour Party, under the leadership of Tony Blair, came to power with a manifesto commitment to create a devolved assembly in Wales. This was part of a wider policy of constitutional reform, which also included devolution for Scotland and the establishment of a new elected mayor and assembly for London. The Labour Party argued that devolution would bring government closer to the people and improve accountability.

Legislation

The referendum was made possible by the passing of the Referendum (Wales) Act 1997 by the UK Parliament. The Act set out the arrangements for the referendum, including the wording of the question to be put to voters. The question asked was: "Do you agree that there should be a Welsh Assembly as proposed by the Government?" The Act also stipulated that the result of the referendum would be binding.

Campaign

The campaign period for the referendum ran from the passing of the Referendum Act in July 1997 until polling day on 18 September 1997. Both the 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns were cross-party, with politicians from different parties working together to argue for their respective positions. The 'Yes' campaign argued that an assembly would give Wales a stronger voice in the UK and allow for decisions affecting Wales to be made in Wales. The 'No' campaign, on the other hand, argued that devolution would lead to unnecessary bureaucracy and could potentially lead to the break-up of the UK.

Result

The result of the referendum was a narrow victory for the 'Yes' campaign, with 50.3% of voters supporting the creation of an assembly. The turnout was 50.1%, meaning that just over half of the eligible voters in Wales took part in the referendum. Following the result, the UK Government proceeded with plans to establish the National Assembly for Wales, which held its first elections in 1999.

Aftermath

The establishment of the National Assembly for Wales marked a significant change in the governance of Wales. The Assembly was given powers over a range of areas, including education, health, and local government. The result of the referendum also had wider implications for the UK, contributing to the process of devolution that has seen a shift in power away from Westminster towards the nations and regions.