Welsh devolution referendum, 2011

Last updated
Welsh devolution referendum
Do you want the Assembly now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?
Location Wales
Date 3 March 2011
Results
Votes%
Yes check.svgYes517,13263.49%
X mark.svgNo297,38036.51%
Valid votes814,51299.86%
Invalid or blank votes1,1160.14%
Total votes815,628100.00%
Registered voters/turnout2,289,04435.63%
Results by unitary authorities
2011 Welsh Devolution Referendum results map.PNG
  Yes    No
Referendum held: 3 March 2011
Royal Badge of Wales (2008).svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
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National and regional referendums held within the United Kingdom and its constituent countries
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Northern Ireland Border Poll 1973
UK EC Membership Referendum 1975
Scottish Devolution Referendum 1979
Welsh Devolution Referendum 1979
Scottish Devolution Referendum 1997
Welsh Devolution Referendum 1997
Greater London Authority Referendum 1998
NI Good Friday Agreement Referendum 1998
NE England Devolution Referendum 2004
Welsh Devolution Referendum 2011
UK AV Referendum 2011
Scottish Independence Referendum 2014
UK EU Membership Referendum 2016

The Welsh devolution referendum on law-making powers also known as the Referendum on the law-making powers of the National Assembly for Wales was a non-binding referendum held in Wales on 3 March 2011 on whether the Welsh Assembly should have full law making powers in the twenty subject areas where it has jurisdiction. The referendum asked the question: "Do you want the Assembly now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?"

Wales Country in northwest Europe, part of the United Kingdom

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in 2011 of 3,063,456 and has a total area of 20,779 km2 (8,023 sq mi). Wales has over 1,680 miles (2,700 km) of coastline and is largely mountainous, with its higher peaks in the north and central areas, including Snowdon, its highest summit. The country lies within the north temperate zone and has a changeable, maritime climate.

Contents

If a majority voted 'yes', the Assembly would then able to make laws, known as Acts of the Assembly, on all matters in the subject areas, without needing the UK Parliament's agreement. If a majority voted 'no', the arrangements at the time of the referendum would have continued - that is, in each devolved area, the Assembly would be able to make its own laws on some matters, but not others. To make laws on any of these other matters, the Assembly would have had to ask the UK Parliament to transfer the powers to it. [1] [2]

In Wales, an Act of the National Assembly for Wales is primary legislation that can be made by the National Assembly for Wales under part 4 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. The power to make Acts of the Assembly was conferred on the assembly following the 2011 elections as a commencement order had been passed in the assembly by simple majority prior to dissolution. The activation of part 4 legislative powers was as a result of a "yes" vote in the 2011 referendum held in Wales. When the power to make Acts of the Assembly commenced, the assembly lost the ability to make Measures under part 3 of the 2006 Act. Existing Measures will remain as law unless repealed.

The results of the referendum were announced on 4 March 2011. Overall, 63.49% voted 'yes', and 36.51% voted 'no'. In 21 of 22 local authorities the vote was 'yes', with the exception being Monmouthshire by a slim majority. The overall turnout was 35.2%. First Minister Carwyn Jones, welcoming the result, said: "Today an old nation came of age."

Since 1 April 1996, Wales has been divided into 22 single-tier principal areas for local government purposes. The elected councils of these areas are responsible for the provision of all local government services, including education, social work, environmental protection, and most highways. Below these there are also elected community councils to which responsibility for specific aspects of the application of local policy may be devolved.

Monmouthshire County

Monmouthshire is a county in south-east Wales. The name derives from the historic county of Monmouthshire of which it covers the eastern 60%. The largest town is Abergavenny. Other towns and large villages are Caldicot, Chepstow, Monmouth, Magor and Usk. It borders Torfaen and Newport to the west; Herefordshire and Gloucestershire to the east; and Powys to the north.

First Minister of Wales leader of the Welsh Government

The First Minister of Wales is the leader of the Welsh Government, Wales' devolved administration. The First Minister is responsible for the exercise of functions by the Cabinet of the Welsh Government; policy development and coordination; relationships with the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe and the wider world.

Background

In the One Wales coalition agreement on 27 June 2007 the Wales Labour Party and Plaid Cymru made the commitment "to proceed to a successful outcome of a referendum for full law-making powers under Part IV of the Government of Wales Act 2006 as soon as practicable, at or before the end of the Assembly term". The two parties agreed "in good faith to campaign for a successful outcome to such a referendum" and to set up an All-Wales Convention to prepare for such a successful outcome. [3] [4]

One Wales was the coalition agreement for the National Assembly for Wales between Labour and Plaid Cymru agreed to by Rhodri Morgan, First Minister of Wales and leader of Welsh Labour, and Ieuan Wyn Jones, leader of Plaid Cymru, on 27 June 2007. It was negotiated in the wake of the preceding National Assembly election which resulted in a large Labour plurality, but no majority. Labour and Plaid Cymru approved the document in separate votes on 6 and 7 July, respectively.

Plaid Cymru is a social-democratic political party in Wales advocating Welsh independence from the United Kingdom within the European Union.

Government of Wales Act 2006 UK parliament act of 2006 regarding increased Welsh homerule

The Government of Wales Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reforms the National Assembly for Wales and allows further powers to be granted to it more easily. The Act creates a system of government with a separate executive drawn from and accountable to the legislature.

On 27 October 2007 the then First Minister Rhodri Morgan and the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones appointed Sir Emyr Jones Parry, the recently retired Permanent Representative from Britain to the United Nations to head the convention. [5] Sir Emyr stated on 22 November 2007 that he would like to begin to work as soon as possible and hoped to have the report ready by 2009 at the latest. [6]

Rhodri Morgan former First Minister of Wales

Hywel Rhodri Morgan was a Welsh Labour politician who was the First Minister of Wales and the Leader of Welsh Labour from 2000 to 2009. He was also the Assembly Member for Cardiff West from 1999 to 2011 and the Member of Parliament for Cardiff West from 1987 to 2001. He was, as of 2018, the longest-serving First Minister of Wales. He was elected Chancellor of Swansea University on 24 October 2011.

Ieuan Wyn Jones Welsh politician, leader of Plaid Cymru; MP 1987-2001; Assembly Member 1999-2013

Ieuan Wyn Jones is a Welsh politician who was the Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Government from 2007 to 2011. He was the Member of the National Assembly for Wales for the Ynys Môn constituency from 1999 to 2013, and he was also leader of Plaid Cymru from 2000 to 2012. Jones served as Member of Parliament for Ynys Môn constituency from 1987 to 2001, when he retired to focus on his work in the Welsh Assembly. In 2007, Jones was named Wales' "Politician of the Year" by the BBC Wales am.pm programme. He resigned from the Welsh Assembly on 20 June 2013. In 2017 he unsuccessfully sought to return to the House of Commons for his former constituency.

Sir Emyr Jones Parry is a British retired diplomat. He is a former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and former UK Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council.

The All Wales Convention reported to the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister on 18 November 2009. It reported that a "yes" vote would be obtainable but not guaranteed. An opinion poll for the convention had found that 47% would vote Yes, and 37% would vote No. The report suggested that the Assembly needed to decide before June 2010 whether to trigger a referendum if the vote was to be held before the next Assembly elections. [7]

On 2 February 2010 the new First Minister Carwyn Jones, who had succeeded Rhodri Morgan on 9 December 2009, confirmed that a trigger vote would be held on 9 February on whether the Assembly should request a referendum on full law making powers. [8] The Welsh Liberal Democrats and Welsh Conservative Party stated they did not want the referendum to be held on the same day as the 2011 Assembly elections and would abstain from voting to trigger the referendum if this date was not ruled out. [8] The trigger vote was held in the Assembly on Tuesday 9 February 2010, and was approved unanimously across all parties, with 53 out of the 60 AMs voting for it. Under the Government of Wales Act 2006 the First Minister was required to send a letter within two weeks to the Welsh Secretary (then Peter Hain), who would then have 120 days to lay a draft order for a referendum before Parliament. [9] It was expected that the referendum date would not be set until after the general election.

On 15 June 2010 Cheryl Gillan, the new Welsh Secretary in the Conservative--Liberal Democrat coalition government at Westminster, announced that the referendum would probably be held between January and March 2011. [10] Others proposed that it should be held on 5 May 2011, together with both the Assembly elections and the AV referendum. [11] It was agreed that the referendum be held on 3 March 2011, after representations to the Welsh Secretary from the Welsh Government. [12]

Referendum question

Draft question

The draft referendum question submitted by the Welsh Secretary to the Electoral Commission on 23 June 2010 was:

At present, the National Assembly for Wales (the Assembly) has powers to make laws for Wales on some subjects within devolved areas. Devolved areas include health, education, social services, local government and environment. The Assembly can gain further powers to make laws in devolved areas with the agreement of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (Parliament) on a subject by subject basis.

If most people vote 'yes' in this referendum, the Assembly will gain powers to pass laws on all subjects in the devolved areas.

If most people vote 'no', then the present arrangements, which transfer that law-making power bit by bit, with the agreement of Parliament each time, will continue.

Do you agree that the Assembly should now have powers to pass laws on all subjects in the devolved areas without needing the agreement of Parliament first? [13]

This wording was, however, criticised by the Welsh Government. [14]

Revised question

A revised question was released in September 2010: [15]

The National Assembly for Wales - what happens at the moment

The Assembly has powers to make laws on 20 subject areas, such as agriculture, education, the environment, health, housing, local government.

In each subject area, the Assembly can make laws on some matters, but not others. To make laws on any of these other matters, the assembly must ask the UK Parliament for its agreement. The UK Parliament then decides each time whether or not the assembly can make these laws.

The Assembly cannot make laws on subject areas such as defence, tax or welfare benefits, whatever the result of this vote.

If most voters vote 'yes' - the Assembly will be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for, without needing the UK Parliament's agreement.

If most voters vote 'no' - what happens at the moment will continue.

Do you want the Assembly now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?

permitting a simple YES / NO answer (to be marked with a single (X)).

Opinion polls and comments

In 2007, one poll suggested that 47% might say Yes in a referendum vote, with 44% against. [16] A poll in February 2008 saw 49% in favour of a full law-making parliament and 41% against. [17] On 3 February 2010 the Western Mail endorsed the Yes campaign. [18] A BBC poll released on 1 March 2010 (St. David's Day) found that support had risen for full law making powers, up to 56%, with 35% against, although Nick Bourne the leader of the Welsh Conservative Party (who supported a yes vote) was sceptical of the poll results. [19]

A summary table of poll results in advance of the referendum is set out below.

Date(s) ConductedPolling OrganisationYesNoUndecidedWon't VoteLead
25-28 Feb 2011 Research and Marketing Group 49%22%28%-21%
21-23 Feb 2011 YouGov 67%33%--34%
24-26 Jan 2011 YouGov 46%25%21%8%21%
20-22 Dec 2010 YouGov 48%30%14%8%18%
25-28 Nov 2010 ICM 70%30%--40%
25-28 Nov 2010 ICM 57%24%18%-33%
22-24 Nov 2010 YouGov 52%29%13%7%23%
19-22 Nov 2010 Beaufort Research 73%23%4%-50%
19-22 Nov 2010 Beaufort Research 60%28%13%-32%
25-27 Oct 2010 YouGov 49%30%15%5%19%
27 - 29 Sep 2010 YouGov 48%32%15%6%16%
26 - 28 Jul 2010 YouGov 48%34%14%5%14%

Overall Result

Referendum result announced at the Senedd by Jenny Watson Referendum result announced at the Senedd.jpg
Referendum result announced at the Senedd by Jenny Watson

The results were counted and announced the following day on Friday 4 March 2011, locally initially with the final result declared at the Senedd in Cardiff by the Chair of the Electoral Commission Jenny Watson who announced the result in both Welsh and English.

In 21 of 22 unitary authorities, the vote was Yes. The only counting area to declare a No result was Monmouthshire, which was announced following a recount. The difference was only 320 votes. [20]

ChoiceVotes%
Yes check.svg Yes / Ydw517,57263.49
No / Nac Ydw297,38036.51
Valid votes814,51299.86
Invalid or blank votes1,1160.14
Total votes815,628100.00
Registered voters and turnout2,289,04435.63
Source: Electoral Commission
Yes :
517,132 (63.49%)
No :
297,380 (36.51%)

Results by council areas

Unitary authorityVotesProportion of votesTurnout
AgreeDisagreeAgreeDisagree
Anglesey 14,4017,62064.7%35.3%43.8%
Blaenau Gwent 11,8695,36668.8%31.2%32.4%
Bridgend 25,06311,73668.2%31.8%35.6%
Caerphilly 28,43115,73164.4%35.6%34.5%
Cardiff 53,43733,60661.4%38.6%35.1%
Carmarthenshire 42,97917,71270.8%29.2%44.3%
Ceredigion 16,5958,41266.3%33.7%44.0%
Conwy 18,36812,39059.7%40.3%33.7%
Denbighshire 15,7939,74261.8%38.2%34.4%
Flintshire 21,11912,91362.1%37.9%29.4%
Gwynedd 11,8695,36676.0%24.0%43.3%
Merthyr Tydfil 9,1364,13268.8%31.2%30.1%
Monmouthshire 12,38112,70149.4%50.6%35.8%
Neath Port Talbot 29,95711,05773.0%27.0%38.0%
Newport 15,98313,20454.7%45.3%27.9%
Pembrokeshire 19,60016,05054.9%45.1%38.7%
Powys 21,07219,73051.6%48.4%39.6%
Rhondda Cynon Taf 43,05117,83470.7%29.3%34.6%
Swansea 38,49622,40963.3%36.7%32.9%
Torfaen 14,6558,68862.7%37.2%33.8%
Vale of Glamorgan 19,43017,55152.5%47.5%40.1%
Wrexham 17,6069,86364.1%35.9%27.0%

[21]

Turnout was highest in Carmarthenshire (44.36%) and lowest in Wrexham (27.04%). The highest percentage of Yes votes was in Gwynedd (76.03% Yes) and the highest percentage of No votes was in Monmouthshire (50.64% No).

Reactions to the result

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "Today an old nation came of age." [22]

Deputy First Minister and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said that it marked "the beginning of a new era of Welsh devolution - the decade to deliver for Wales.... To demand respect, you must first display self-respect. Today we have done just that, and the rest of the world can now sit up and take notice of the fact that our small nation, here on the western edge of the continent of Europe, has demonstrated pride in who we are, and what we all stand for." [22]

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said that the referendum showed that people "wanted to endorse and strengthen devolution," but they "also want it to work better". She said that voters were right to show "widespread dissatisfaction" with the Assembly Government's performance. [23]

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan, a member of the Conservative Party, said that there had been concern over turnout, but called it "a good day for Wales". [22] She said that the British Government would reinforce its commitment to make the arrangements work effectively.

Roger Lewis, Chairman of the Yes for Wales campaign, said he was delighted, adding: "It is clear, the people of Wales have spoken."

Rachel Banner, of the No campaign, said that it marked a "turning point for our nation". [22] She questioned the legitimacy of the result, asking: "Has it got the full-hearted consent of the Welsh people?" She also stated that she did not believe that the 42 backbench members of the Assembly could provide high-quality scrunity of the activities of the Welsh Government. [24]

See also

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References

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  2. BBC Video with information on method of Welsh law making in areas of power that are not devolved.
  3. "UK | Wales | Details of Labour--Plaid agreement". BBC News. 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
  4. "One Wales: A progressive agenda for the government of Wales" (PDF). BBC News. 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
  5. "UK | Wales | Diplomat heads law-making group". BBC News. 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  6. Guto Thomas (2007-11-22). "UK | UK Politics | Wales politics | Law-making report by end of 2009". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
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  12. BBC News, Referendum on more Welsh powers set for 3 March, 2011, 21 September 2011
  13. "The Referendum: Your questions answered" (PDF). National Assembly for Wales Commission. 2010-08-05. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
  14. Roberts, Carl (2010-06-24). "Row over draft referendum question on assembly powers". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  15. "Referendum on more Welsh powers set for 3 March 2011". BBC News. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  16. Guto Thomas, Wales referendum: Has the nation warmed to devolution?, BBC News, 2 March 2011
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  18. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2011/02/03/yes-vote-is-sensible-option-91466-28106140/
  19. Powys, Betsan (2010-03-01). "'Support grows' for full law-making Wales assembly". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  20. Electoral Commission, Authorities | Monmouthshire, Electoral Commission, 3 March 2011
  21. Electoral Commission, About My Vote, Electoral Commission, 3 March 2011
  22. 1 2 3 4 BBC News, Wales says Yes in referendum vote, 4 March 2011
  23. "Welsh Lib Dems' Kirsty Williams' power 'elite' warning". BBC News. 6 March 2011.
  24. "Wales says Yes in referendum vote". BBC News. 4 March 2011.