THE WELSH Assembly is to get more powers following the passage of a referendum yesterday, which will, in the eyes of supporters, make Wales “full and equal partners” in the United Kingdom, alongside Scotland and Northern Ireland, but just little more than a third of those entitled to vote went to polling stations.
Under the changes, the Welsh Assembly will now be able to pass legislation on a host of issues, including health and education, without seeking the approval of the House of Commons, which has led to delay on some issues because of disagreements between both bodies since the assembly was created.
The final turnout in the referendum amounted to just 35.4 per cent of the electorate, though the Yes campaign secured 63.5 per cent of the vote, giving it a majority of 220,000 over those in the No camp, who had argued that the referendum would accelerate the creation of a federal constitution for the United Kingdom.
“Today Wales has spoken. Wales has said Yes. Today is a truly remarkable moment in our nation’s history. Laws which only affect Wales will henceforth be made in Wales. Today we can stand alongside Northern Ireland and Scotland as full and equal partners in a stronger United Kingdom,” said the director of the Yes campaign, Roger Lewis, just after the result was announced.
The victory marks a change in sentiment in Wales towards devolution on 1997 when voters then rejected similar plans, with many districts that had previously voted No voting in favour on this occasion by substantial numbers.
Labour MP Paul Murphy, who once served as Northern Ireland secretary of state, said opinion in his constituency had shifted in favour of extra powers for the assembly because of the existence of a Conservative-led government in Westminster. “The assembly needs extra powers to protect Wales,” he said.
The campaign was strongly backed by Labour and Plaid Cymru, who are serving together in coalition, though the Conservatives declared neutrality, leaving MPs, members of the Welsh Assembly and party members to decide for themselves: “I think the parties behaved in a rather mature way,” said Nick Bourne, the Conservative leader in the assembly.
