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{{Politics of Wales}}
 
'''Welsh devolution''' is the [[Devolution in the United Kingdom|transfer of legislative powers]] for [[self-governance]] to [[Wales]] by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. The current system of devolution began following the enactment of the [[Government of Wales Act 1998]], with the responsibility of various [[Devolved, reserved and excepted matters|devolved powers]] granted to the [[Welsh Government]] rather than being the responsibility of the [[Government of the United Kingdom]].
'''Welsh devolution''' is the transfer of legislative power for [[Devolution|self-governance]] to [[Wales]] by the [[government of the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-04-29|title=Devolution: A beginner's guide|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/first_time_voter/8589835.stm|access-date=2022-02-01}}</ref>
 
Wales was [[Conquest of Wales by Edward I|conquered]] by England during the 13th century, with the [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542]] applying [[English law]] to Wales and incorporating it into England (creatingsurvives as the legal jurisdiction that today is called ''[[England and Wales]]<!--retronymically-->'' legal jurisdiction), and later into Great Britain and the United Kingdom. A rise in [[Welsh nationalism]] and political movements advocating for Welsh [[autonomy]] became more prominent in the late nineteenth century. The devolution of some administrative responsibilities began in the early twentieth century, as well as the passing of laws specific to Wales. Since World War II, various movements and proposals have advocated different models of Welsh devolution.
 
A rise in [[Welsh nationalism]] and political movements advocating for Welsh [[autonomy]] became more prominent in the late nineteenth century. The devolution of some administrative responsibilities began in the early twentieth century, as well as the passing of laws specific to Wales. Since World War II, various movements and proposals have advocated different models of Welsh devolution. In 1979, [[1979 Welsh devolution referendum|a1979 referendum]] on devolution was rejectedfailed by 79% of voters amid regional divisions and cultural concerns, but by 1997 support for devolution had increased and was narrowly supported inwhile a [[1997 Welsh devolution referendum|1997 referendum]] narrowly won. Laws were subsequently passed to establish the [[Senedd|National Assembly for Wales]] and grant it [[List of devolved matters in Wales|secondary legislative powers]] over areas such as agriculture, education and housing. The third [[2011 Welsh devolution referendum|referendum]], in 2011, saw voters support full primary law-making powers for the national assembly over specified areas of governance. After the [[Senedd and Elections (Wales) ActIn 2020]], the national assembly was renamed "''to {{lang|cy|Senedd Cymru''" (in Welsh) and the "}}/Welsh Parliament" (incommonly English) (also collectively referred toknown as the "''[[Senedd]]''"), which was seen as ato better reflection of thereflect body'sits expanded legislative powers.
 
The [[Welsh Labour]] Party [[proposed further Welsh devolution|advocates for further Welsh devolution]] and "far-reachingsometimes [[Federalism in the United Kingdom|federalism]]" with powers equal to those of Scotland and Northern Ireland, whilst the Welsh nationalist party, [[Plaid Cymru]], has described devolution as a stepping stone towards full [[Welsh independence]].
{{History of Wales}}
 
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==== Home rule ====
In response to the Irish demand for "home rule", Liberal prime minister of the UK, William Gladstone proposed two bills on home rule for Ireland in 1886 and 1893, which both failed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two home rule Bills |url=https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/legislativescrutiny/parliamentandireland/overview/two-home-rule-bills/}}</ref> Although the idea of "home rule all round" had been around since the 1830s the idea became more popular in 1910 during the constitutional conference and on the brink of an Irish war during 1913–14.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kendle |first=J. E. |date=Jun 1968 |title=VI. The Round Table Movement and 'Home Rule All Round' |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0018246x00002041 |journal=The Historical Journal |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=332–353 |doi=10.1017/s0018246x00002041 |s2cid=159471230 |issn=0018-246X|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
[[File:Llewelyn Williams.jpg|thumb|179x179px|[[Llywelyn Williams]] set up the first Cymru Fydd branch on Welsh soil in Barry in 1891.<ref>{{Cite web |title='A PROVED AND LOYAL FRIENDSHIP': THE DIARY OF W. LLEWELYN WILLIAMS MP, 1906-15 |url=https://www.library.wales/fileadmin/docs_gwefan/new_structure/catalogues/specialist_catalogues/nlw_journal/cgr_erth_XXXIVrh3_2008_3.pdf}}</ref>]]
Political movements supporting Welsh self-rule began in the late nineteenth century alongside a rise in [[Welsh nationalism]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Pilkington |first=Colin |url=http://archive.org/details/devolutioninbrit0000pilk |title=Devolution in Britain today |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7190-6075-5 |pages=35–38}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=History of devolution |url=https://senedd.wales/how-we-work/history-of-devolution/ |access-date=2022-01-31 |website=senedd.wales |language=en-GB}}</ref> In the same year as the first bill for Ireland was proposed, the [[Cymru Fydd]] (Wales To Be/Wales Will Be) movement was founded to further the home rule cause for Wales.<ref name="encyclopaedia">{{citation|title=The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales|year=2008|place=Cardiff|publisher=University of Wales Press}}</ref> Lloyd George was one of the main leaders of Cymru Fydd which was an organisation created with the aim of establishing a [[Welsh Government]]<ref>{{cite journal |id={{ProQuest|1310503225}} |last1=Jones |first1=J G.|title=Alfred Thomas's National Institution (Wales) Bills of 1891-92 |journal=Welsh History Review |volume=15 |issue=1 |date=1 January 1990 |pages=218–239 }}</ref> and a "stronger Welsh identity".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/society/politics_cymru_fydd.shtml|title = BBC Wales - History - Themes - Cymru Fydd - Young Wales}}</ref> As such Lloyd George was seen as a radical figure in British politics and was associated with the reawakening of [[Welsh nationalism]] and identity, saying in 1880, "Is it not high time that Wales should have the powers to manage its own affairs".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=55160&printable=1|title = Unit 8 David Lloyd George and the destiny of Wales: View as single page}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Yes or No? The Welsh Devolution Referendum |url=https://blog.library.wales/the-welsh-devolution-referendum/ |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=National Library of Wales Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> Historian Emyr Price has referred to him as "the first architect of Welsh devolution and its most famous advocate’" as well as "the pioneering advocate of a powerful parliament for the Welsh people".<ref>{{Cite book |title=David Lloyd George (Celtic Radicals) |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2005 |pages=208}}</ref> The first Cymru Fydd societies were set up in Liverpool and London in 1887 and in the winter of 1886–7, the North and South Wales liberal federations were founded.<ref name=":20">{{Cite web |title=""Home Rule all round": Experiments in Regionalising Great Britain, 1886-1914." Political Reform in Britain, 1886 - 1996: Themes, Ideas, Policies. Eds. Jordan, Ulrike; Kaiser, Wolfram. Bochum: Universitätsverlag Dr. N. Brockmeyer. 169 - 192. Arbeitskreis Deutsche England-Forschung 37. |url=https://thestacks.libaac.de/bitstream/handle/11858/2064/Rembold%20-%201997%20-%20Home%20Rule%20all%20round.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y}}</ref> Lloyd George was also particularly active in attempting to set up a separate Welsh National Party which was based on [[Charles Stewart Parnell]]'s [[Irish Parliamentary Party]] and also worked to unite the North and South Wales Liberal Federations with Cymru Fydd to form a Welsh National Liberal Federation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Wales - History - Themes - David Lloyd George |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/figures/lloyd_george.shtml |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> The Cymru Fydd movement collapsed in 1896 amid personal rivalries and rifts between Liberal representatives such as [[David Alfred Thomas]].<ref name="encyclopaedia" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Wales {{!}} Vol, V no. 8/9 {{!}} 1945 {{!}} Cylchgronau Cymru – Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru |url=https://cylchgronau.llyfrgell.cymru/view/1214989/1216131/107 |access-date=4 December 2020 |publisher=[[National Library of Wales]] |language=cy-GB}}</ref> In 1898 however, [[David Lloyd George]] managed to form the Welsh National Liberal Council, a loose umbrella organisation covering the two federations.<ref name="alderton">{{cite web |last1=Alderton |first1=Nicholas |title=The formation of the Welsh Liberal Party, 1966-1967 |url=https://www.psa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/conference/papers/2015/The%20Formation%20of%20the%20Welsh%20Liberal%20Party%20(1).pdf |access-date=10 April 2019 |website=Political Studies Association}}</ref>
 
Support for [[home rule]] for Wales and Scotland amongst most political parties was strongest in 1918 following the independence of other European countries after the First World War, and the [[Easter Rising]] in Ireland, wrote Dr Davies.<ref>Davies (1994) pp. 523</ref> Although Cymru Fydd had collapsed, home rule was still on the agenda, with liberal Joseph Chamberlain proposing "[[Home Rule]] All Round" for all nations of the United Kingdom, in part to meet Irish demands but maintain the superiority of the imperial parliament of Westminster. This idea which eventually fell out of favour after "southern Ireland" left the UK and became a dominion in 1921 and the Irish free state was established in 1922.<ref name=":20" /> Home rule all round became official labour party policy, by hethe 1920s, but the Liberals lost interest because if a Welsh Parliament was formed they would not control it.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |title=BBC Wales - History - Themes - Chapter 22: A new nation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/guide/ch22_a_new_nation.shtml |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
 
====Welsh institutions form====
 
The late 19th century saw the formation of a number of national institutions; a national and annual cultural event, the [[National Eisteddfod of Wales]] in 1861,<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC Wales - Eisteddfod - Guide - A brief history of the Eisteddfod|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/eisteddfod2008/sites/guide/history/pages/history_eisteddfod.shtml|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> the [[Football Association of Wales]] in 1876,<ref>{{Cite web|title=FAW / Who are FAW?|url=http://www.faw.cymru/en/about-faw/who-are-faw/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.faw.cymru|language=en}}</ref> the [[Welsh Rugby Union]] in 1881<ref>{{Cite web|title=140 Years of the Welsh Rugby Union|url=https://www.wru.wales/article/140-years-of-the-welsh-rugby-union/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions|language=en-GB|archive-date=2022-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204004030/https://www.wru.wales/article/140-years-of-the-welsh-rugby-union/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[University of Wales]] in 1893.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the University of Wales - University of Wales|url=https://www.wales.ac.uk/en/AboutUs/Developments/History.aspx|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.wales.ac.uk|archive-date=2022-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204004031/https://www.wales.ac.uk/en/AboutUs/Developments/History.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
In 1896, [[Education in Wales]] began to become distinct with the formation of the Central Welsh Board which inspected grammar schools in Wales and The [[Welsh Intermediate Education Act 1889]] was brought about to "make further provision for the intermediate and technical education of the inhabitants of Wales and the county of Monmouth.", making the board responsible for inspection of secondary schools.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-12 |title=The Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1889 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/ee4a5728-7f96-3b9f-93ac-29300c2d6066 |access-date=2022-02-04 |website=BBC |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C815 |title=Records of the Welsh Department and successors |date=1880–1983 |others=Board of Education, Board of Education, Welsh Department, Department of Education and Science, Education Office for Wales, Department of Education and Science, Welsh Education Office, Education Department, Ministry of Education, Welsh Department |language=English}}</ref> In 1907, the Welsh department of the [[Board of education|Board of Education]] was formed and in the same year, a Welsh Inspectorate was established for inspection of primary and secondary schools in Wales.<ref name=":0" />
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The early 20th century also saw the continued formation of a number of Welsh national institutions; the [[National Library of Wales]] in 1911,<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the Building {{!}} The National Library of Wales|url=https://www.library.wales/librarybuilding/historyofthebuilding|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.library.wales}}</ref> the [[Welsh Guards]] in 1915<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welsh Guards|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/welsh-guards/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref> and the Welsh Board of Health in 1919.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C923|title=Records of the Welsh Board of Health|date=1919–1969|others=Welsh Board of Health|language=English}}</ref> The [[Church in Wales]] came into existence in 1920 following the disestablishment of the [[Church of England]] via the [[Welsh Church Act 1914]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/4-5/91|title=Welsh Church Act 1914}}</ref>
[[File:Parch Lewis Valentine yn ifanc.jpg|thumb|253x253px|[[Lewis Valentine]], first president of [[Plaid Cymru]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire in Llŷn |url=https://www.peoplescollection.wales/story/378207 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Peoples Collection Wales |language=en}}</ref>]]
There had been discussions about the need for a "Welsh party" since the 19th century.<ref>Davies (1994) pp. 415, 454</ref> With the generation or so before 1922 there "had been a marked growth in the constitutional recognition of the Welsh nation", wrote historian [[John Davies (historian)|Dr John Davies]].<ref>Davies (1994) pp. 544</ref> By 1924 there were people in Wales "eager to make their nationality the focus of Welsh politics".<ref name="Daviesp547">Davies (1994) pp. 547</ref> In 1925 Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru ("the National Party of Wales") was founded; it was renamed [[Plaid Cymru|Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales]] in 1945. The party's principles defined in 1970 were (1) self government for Wales, (2) to safeguard the culture, traditions, language and economic position of Wales and (3) to secure membership for a self-governing Welsh state in the United Nations.<ref name=":82">{{Cite journal |last=Lutz |first=James M. |date=1981 |title=The Spread of the Plaid Cymru: The Spatial Impress |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/447358 |journal=The Western Political Quarterly |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=310–328 |doi=10.2307/447358 |issn=0043-4078 |jstor=447358|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
 
Early members of the Independent Labour Party attempted to establish a South Wales Federation towards the end of the 19th century but the South Wales Regional Council of Labour was not established until 1937.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=Labour Party Wales Archives - National Library of Wales Archives and Manuscripts |url=https://archives.library.wales/index.php/labour-party-wales-archives |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=archives.library.wales}}</ref> The UK Labour government elected in 1945 was strongly centrist, but in the same year, there were 15 UK Government departments established in Wales.<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Torrence |first=David |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8318/CBP-8318.pdf |title=Devolution in Wales: "A process, not an event" |publisher=House of Commons Library |year=2022 |pages=9}}</ref> By 1947, a unified Welsh Regional Council of Labour became responsible for all Wales.<ref name=":22" /> In 1959 the Labour council title was changed from "Welsh Regional council" to "Welsh council", and the Labour body was renamed Labour Party Wales in 1975.<ref name=":22" />
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==== First Plaid Cymru MP ====
[[File:Gwynfor Evans.jpg|thumb|197x197px|[[Gwynfor Evans]] in 1951.]]
The leader of [[Plaid Cymru]], [[Gwynfor Evans]] won the party's first-ever seat in Westminster in Carmarthen in 1966, which "helped change the course of a nation" according to Dr Martin Johnes of Swansea University. This, paired with the SNP's Winnie Ewing's winning a seat in Hamilton, Scotland in 1967 may have contributed to pressure on Labour prime minister Harold Wilson to form the [[Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)|Kilbrandon Commission]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remembering Gwynfor Evans' by-election which changed Welsh history |url=https://www.thenational.wales/news/19426429.remembering-gwynfor-evans-by-election-changed-welsh-history/ |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=The National Wales |language=en |archive-date=2021-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923062559/https://www.thenational.wales/news/19426429.remembering-gwynfor-evans-by-election-changed-welsh-history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news |date=2016-07-14 |title=Plaid Cymru's first MP 'helped change course of a nation' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-36772269 |access-date=2022-03-10}}</ref> This event may have also contributed to the passing of the [[Welsh Language Act 1967]].<ref name="BBC News"/> This act repealed a provision in the [[Wales and Berwick Act 1746]] that the term "England" should include Wales, thus defining Wales to be a separate entity from England within the UK.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 2011|title=The Constitution Series: 1 – Wales in the United Kingdom|url=http://www.assembly.wales/Research%20Documents/The%20Constitution%20Wales%20in%20the%20United%20Kingdom%20-%20Quick%20guide-22072011-217207/qg07-0001-English.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420062743/http://www.assembly.wales/Research%20Documents/The%20Constitution%20Wales%20in%20the%20United%20Kingdom%20-%20Quick%20guide-22072011-217207/qg07-0001-English.pdf|archive-date=20 April 2016|access-date=6 April 2016|publisher=National Assembly for Wales}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2012-07-26|title=The Welsh language Act of 1967|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/fe99df6b-bf61-3cb0-a695-fa76c013fc98|access-date=2022-01-31|website=BBC|language=en}}</ref> The legislation permitted the use of Welsh including in courts of law. The act was in part based upon the Hughes Parry Report from 1965. While the [[Welsh Courts Act 1942|Welsh Courts Act in 1942]] had previously allowed limited use of Welsh if defendants or plaintiffs had limited knowledge of English, the 1967 act was far more robust. While the act itself was quite limited, it had large symbolic importance.<ref name=":5" /> In 1966, [[Emlyn Hooson]] convinced a majority of delegates to merge both the Welsh liberal federations into a single entity, forming the [[Welsh Liberal Party]]. The new party had far more authority, and gradually centralised the finances and policy of the party in Wales.<ref name="alderton2alderton">{{cite web |last1=Alderton |first1=Nicholas |title=The formation of the Welsh Liberal Party, 1966-1967 |url=https://www.psa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/conference/papers/2015/The%20Formation%20of%20the%20Welsh%20Liberal%20Party%20(1).pdf |access-date=10 April 2019 |website=Political Studies Association}}</ref>
 
==== National Assembly referendums ====
{{See also|Yes for Wales}}
The UK Labour government introduced separate devolution bills for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 1977 following the support for a Scottish parliament by the [[Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)|Kilbrandon Commission]].<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |title=Welsh Referendum |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/wales/briefing/79referendums.shtml |access-date=2022-02-10 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> On [[Saint David's Day|St David's Day]] (March 1), [[1979 Welsh devolution referendum]] was held on a National[[Welsh Assembly for (Wales Act 1978)|Welsh Assembly]] but came at the end of the [[Winter of Discontent]] in addition to "tribalism" divisions within Wales. According to [[John Morris, Baron Morris of Aberavon|John Morris]], people in southern Wales were persuaded that the Assembly would be dominated by "bigoted Welsh-speakers from the north and the west" whilst in the northern Wales, people were persuaded that the Assembly would be dominated by Glamorgan County Council “Taffia”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WalesOnline |date=2011-10-02 |title=Lord Morris of Aberavon lifts the lid on the disastrous 1979 devolution referendum |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/lord-morris-aberavon-lifts-lid-1803341 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}</ref> [[Richard Wyn Jones]] also suggests that suspicions of a secret elite of a "Taffia" or "crachach" may have affected the referendum results,“There was a perception amongst anti-devolutionists that devolution was some sort of plot by the establishment, by the crachach. Their [the anti-devolutionists’] idea that they were standing up for ‘the people’ was reinforced by 1979.” <ref>{{Cite web |last=Williamson |first=David |date=2009-03-05 |title=Spectre of the Taffia could still threaten hopes of a law-making Assembly |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/spectre-taffia-could-still-threaten-2116134 |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}</ref> Welsh voters voted against forming an Assembly, with 79.7% voting against and 20.3% who voting Yes. Meanwhile, Scotland had narrowly voted in favour of a [[Scottish Parliament|Scottish parliament]] with 51.6% in favour.<ref name=":18" />
 
The [[Welsh Language Act 1993]] provided a new law for public organisations in Wales to have bilingual schemes, which would be supervised by the [[Welsh Language Board]]. Some private sector companies including British Telecoms (BT) and British Gas had already included Welsh language schemes in company policies before this Act.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-12-07|title=Q&A: New Welsh language legislation|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-11932770|access-date=2022-02-03}}</ref>
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=== Devolved legislature (1998–present) ===
{{main|Senedd|Welsh Government|ListDevolved, ofreserved devolvedand excepted matters in Wales}}
 
[[File:Senedd.JPG|thumb|270x270px|[[Senedd building]], Cardiff Bay (formerly National Assembly for Wales).]]
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==== Official country and language status ====
In 2011, the International Standards Organisation officially changed the status of Wales to country after the term "principality" was used in error. This came about following lobbying from Plaid Cymru AM (Assembly Member) [[Leanne Wood]]. Legally Wales had ceased to be a principality since the period that the Statue of Rhuddlan was implemented from 1284 to 1542.<ref>{{Cite web|last=WalesOnline|date=2011-07-31|title=International body grants Wales country status after principality error|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/international-body-grants-wales-country-1813629|access-date=2022-02-10|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}</ref> The governments of the United Kingdom and of Wales almost invariably define Wales as a country.<ref name="Number 10">{{cite web|date=10 January 2003|title=Countries within a country|url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page823|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080909013512/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page823|archive-date=9 September 2008|access-date=5 November 2010|website=10 Downing Street website|publisher=[[10 Downing Street]]|quote=The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.}}</ref><ref name="WalesOnline 03072010">{{cite web|date=3 July 2010|title=UN report causes stir with Wales dubbed 'Principality'|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2010/07/03/un-report-causes-stir-with-wales-dubbed-principality-91466-26777027/|access-date=25 July 2010|website=WalesOnline website|publisher=[[Media Wales|Media Wales Ltd]]|quote=... the Assembly's Counsel General, John Griffiths, <nowiki>[said]</nowiki>: "I agree that, in relation to Wales, Principality is a misnomer and that Wales should properly be referred to as a country.}}</ref> VisitWales.com states that "Wales is not a Principality. Although we are joined with England by land, and we are part of Great Britain, Wales is a country in its own right."<ref name="WAG FAQ">{{cite web|year=2008|title=Wales.com FAQs|url=http://www.wales.com/about-wales/frequently-asked-questions#Question_11|access-date=24 August 2015|website=Wales.com website|publisher=[[Welsh Government]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Bogdanor|first=Vernon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lTnHwWWKAR8C&pg=PA52%20%7CACCESS-DATE|title=The Monarchy and the Constitution|date=1995-11-09|publisher=Clarendon Press|isbn=978-0-19-827769-9|language=en}}</ref>
 
The [[Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011]] modernised the 1993 Welsh Language Act and gave Welsh an official status in Wales for the first time, a major landmark for the language. Welsh is the only official ''de jure'' language of any country in the UK. The Measure was also responsible for creating the post of [[Welsh Language Commissioner]], replacing the Welsh Language Board.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 {{!}} Law Wales|url=https://law.gov.wales/culture/welsh-language/welsh-language-wales-measure-2011|access-date=2022-02-03|website=law.gov.wales}}</ref> Following the referendum in 2011, the Official Languages Act became the first Welsh law to be created in 600 years, according to the First Minister at the time, [[Carwyn Jones]]. This law was passed by Welsh AMs (assembly members) only and made Welsh an official language of the National Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-11-12|title=First Welsh law 'for 600 years'|url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2012-11-12/first-welsh-law-for-600-years|access-date=2022-02-03|website=ITV News|language=en}}</ref>
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== Currently devolved powers ==
{{main|ListDevolved, ofreserved devolvedand excepted matters in Wales}}
 
The powers currently employed by the Senedd are, in summary:
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# [[Federalism in the United Kingdom|Federal structures]]
# [[Welsh independence|Independence]]<ref name=":162">{{Cite web |title=Interim report by The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales |url=https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2022-12/independent-commission-the-constitutional-future-of-wales-interim-report-december-2022.pdf}}</ref>
Among calls for specific matters to be devolved to Wales are powers over; Broadcasting,<ref>{{Citation |last=Deacon |first=Russell |title=1 The Evolution of Welsh Devolution |date=2018-01-23 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9780748699742-004 |work=The Government and Politics of Wales |pages=1–21 |access-date=2022-11-29 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |doi=10.1515/9780748699742-004 |isbn=9780748699742|url-access=subscription }}</ref> the [[Crown Estate in Wales]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plenary 24/01/2023 |url=https://record.senedd.wales/Plenary/13189 |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=Welsh Parliament |language=en}}</ref> and natural resources,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-25 |title=Petition calling for the Senedd to have control over Wales' water signed by over 2,500 in just a few hours |url=https://nation.cymru/news/petition-senedd-wales-water-control/ |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref> Shared Prosperity Fund,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-22 |title=Plaid Cymru MP introduces Bill calling for the devolution of post-EU funds to Wales |url=https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-mp-introduces-bill-calling-for-the-devolution-of-post-eu-funds-to-wales/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref> bank holidays,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosalski |first=Ruth |date=2022-02-15 |title=10,000 want St David's Day to be a bank holiday but UK gov says no |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/st-davids-day-bank-holiday-23099964 |access-date=2022-02-22 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}</ref> energy firm taxation & regulation,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-16 |title=Mark Drakeford dismisses call for power to tax energy firms to be held in Wales |url=https://nation.cymru/news/mark-drakeford-dismisses-call-for-power-to-tax-energy-firms-to-be-held-in-wales/ |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref> gender self-identification,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Nick |date=2023-02-07 |title=Welsh Government to seek devolution of gender recognition laws amid Scotland battle |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/wales-welsh-government-devolution-gender-recognition-laws-scotland-battle-2131989 |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> the justice system,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Plaid Cymru call for devolution of justice to Wales - 'we can't be treated as an appendage to England' |url=https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-devolution-justice/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref> rail infrastructure,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayward |first=Will |date=2023-03-17 |title=Wales misses out on £1bn from a second major English rail project |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-misses-out-1bn-uk-26499793 |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}</ref> setting rates and bands of all income tax,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Power to set tax rates could help Wales tackle cost of living crisis says Plaid |url=https://nation.cymru/news/power-to-set-tax-rates-could-help-wales-tackle-cost-of-living-crisis-says-plaid/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref> welfare system and full taxation powers.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Wales needs full control over welfare and taxation' |url=https://www.thenational.wales/news/19838305.sioned-williams-welfare-taxation-devolved-wales/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205005743/https://www.thenational.wales/news/19838305.sioned-williams-welfare-taxation-devolved-wales/ |archive-date=2022-02-05 |access-date=2022-02-05 |website=The National Wales |language=en}}</ref>
 
== Restrictions by UK government ==
Line 493:
In 2005, [[Plaid Cymru]] leader [[Ieuan Wyn Jones]] suggested that the lack of tax varying powers in Wales was a major reason why Wales did not have its own [[Celtic Tiger]] and that growth strategy should not be focused only on cities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williamson |first=David |date=2005-11-16 |title=Why Celtic tiger failed |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/business/business-news/why-celtic-tiger-failed-2368046 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}</ref> Plaid Cymru have also argued that economic dividend can only be achieved with [[Welsh independence]].<ref name=":52">{{Cite journal |last1=Bradbury |first1=Jonathan |last2=Davies |first2=Andrew |date=2022 |title=Regional Economic Development and the Case of Wales: Theory and Practice and Problems of Strategy and Policy |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/national-institute-economic-review/article/regional-economic-development-and-the-case-of-wales-theory-and-practice-and-problems-of-strategy-and-policy/268E13E609428B91C17AF9578A9EEA9C# |journal=National Institute Economic Review |language=en |volume=261 |pages=1–15 |doi=10.1017/nie.2022.26 |issn=0027-9501 |s2cid=255571295}}</ref>
 
Jonathan Bradbury and [[Andrew Davies (Labour politician)|Andrew Davies]] published an article in the ''[[National Institute Economic Review]]'' in January 2023 criticising both the Welsh government and UK government economic policies for Wales. They note that Wales had one of the weakest economies of the UK prior to devolution. They also noted views that the UK government remained in control of macro-economic powers; lacked regional economic policy; and a lack of devolution to the Welsh government to make a real difference. They also note the view of some that the historic exploitation of Wales and its treatment as an economic periphery plays have implications today. They added that Wales' economic performance has not progressed under devolution with weakness in Welsh government strategy and policy and that the dissolution of the [[Welsh Development Agency|Wales Development Agency]] remains a topic of debate.<ref name=":52" />
 
==Political party position on devolution==
[[Welsh Labour]] and the [[Welsh Liberal Democrats]] support further devolution for Wales, as well as reform/[[Federalism in the United Kingdom|federalism of the United Kingdom.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Nation |url=https://movingforward.wales/our-nation.html |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=movingforward.wales |archive-date=2023-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113190914/https://movingforward.wales/our-nation.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ldwales/pages/4049/attachments/original/1618503084/Welsh_Liberal_Democrat_2021_Manifesto.pdf?1618503084 |title=2021 manifesto Put Recovery First}}</ref> [[Plaid Cymru]] supports further devolution for Wales as well as independence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plaid Cymru campaign for devolution of broadcasting "step closer" following establishment of new expert panel |url=https://www.partyof.wales/devo_broadcasting1 |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=The Party of Wales |date=20 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-27 |title=Welsh independence to take longer than hoped, admits Adam Price |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-60893892 |access-date=2022-08-09}}</ref> [[Wales Green Party]] and [[Gwlad]] also both support Welsh independence whilst [[Propel (political party)|Propel]] supports national [[sovereignty]] for Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-27 |title=EXCLUSIVE: "Wales can stand alone" says Green leader as Welsh party backs independence |url=https://leftfootforward.org/2020/10/exclusive-wales-can-stand-alone-says-green-leader-as-welsh-party-backs-independence/ |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=Left Foot Forward: Leading the UK's progressive debate |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gwlad - llais newydd dros annibyniaeth i Gymru |url=https://gwlad.org/ |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=Gwlad |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/propel/pages/120/attachments/original/1615217332/Constitution.pdf?1615217332 |title=Propel Constitution |year=2019}}</ref> The [[Welsh Conservatives]] support the devolution system as it currently stands.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |date=2021-04-22 |title=Welsh election 2021: Who should I vote for? Compare party policies |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-56499726 |access-date=2022-08-09}}</ref> The [[UK Independence Party]] and [[Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party]] both support reduced or the abolishment of devolution.<ref name=":15" />
 
==Referendum results and opinion polling==
Line 509:
|3 March 2011<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-03-04|title=Welsh referendum analysis: Wales 'united in clear vote'|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-12653025|access-date=2022-02-09}}</ref>
|Do you want the Assembly now to be able to make laws on '''all''' matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | '''63.5'''
|36.5
|35.2
Line 516:
|(i) I agree that there should be a Welsh Assembly; or
(ii) I do not agree that there should be a Welsh Assembly
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | '''50.3'''
|49.7
|51.3
Line 523:
|Do you want the provisions of the Wales Act 1978 to be put into effect?
|20.3
| style="background: rgb(248, 193, 190); " | '''79.7'''
|58.8
|}
Line 786:
! style="background:black; color:white;" | Do not know (%)
!Lead
!Notes
|-
|2–8 September 2024
|[https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/Internal_Wales_Devolution_240908.pdf YouGov]
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" |46
|31
|24
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 15
|'''Non-standard question''': ''Abolition question''
|-
|18–19 May 2024
Line 793 ⟶ 802:
|9
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 29
|
|-
|22–23 April 2024
Line 800 ⟶ 810:
|10
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 30
|
|-
|23–24 March 2024
Line 807 ⟶ 818:
|13
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 23
|
|-
|18 February 2024
Line 814 ⟶ 826:
|11
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 21
|
|-
|24–26 January 2024
Line 821 ⟶ 834:
|9
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 27
|
|-
|10–11 December 2023
Line 828 ⟶ 842:
|10
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 30
|
|-
|12–13 November 2023
Line 835 ⟶ 850:
|11
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 22
|
|-
|14–15 October 2023
Line 842 ⟶ 858:
|10
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 26
|
|-
|16–17 September 2023
Line 849 ⟶ 866:
|13
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 43
|
|-
|13–14 August 2023
Line 856 ⟶ 874:
|12
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 32
|
|-
|14–16 July 2023
Line 863 ⟶ 882:
|8
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 39
|
|-
|17–18 June 2023
Line 870 ⟶ 890:
|9
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 31
|
|-
|14–15 May 2023
Line 877 ⟶ 898:
|10
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 35
|
|-
|15–17 April 2023
Line 884 ⟶ 906:
| 12
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" | 38
|
|-
|}
Line 904 ⟶ 927:
| 29
|}
{| class="wikitable"
 
!Date Published
!Publisher
!"Do you support or oppose the following potential constitutional settlements for Wales?"
! style="background:green; color:white;" |Total Support (%)
! style="background:red; color:white;" |Total Oppose (%)
! style="background:black; color:white;" |Don't Know (%)
|-
| rowspan="6" |2–8 September 2024
| rowspan="6" |[https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/Internal_Wales_Devolution_240908.pdf YouGov]
|A fully <u>''independent''</u> Wales outside of the United Kingdom
|24
|style="background: rgb(233, 107, 103); " |'''61'''
|15
|-
|An <u>''autonomous''</u> Welsh parliament and government within the United Kingdom with <u>''powers over everything except defence and foreign affairs''</u>
|32
|style="background: rgb(233, 107, 103); " |42
|27
|-
|A devolved Welsh parliament and government with <u>''more powers''</u> than it currently has
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" |40
|37
|22
|-
|A devolved Welsh parliament and government with the level of <u>''powers that it currently has''</u>
| style="background: rgb(153, 255, 153);" |39
|35
|27
|-
|A devolved Welsh parliament and government with <u>''fewer powers''</u> than it currently has
|23
|style="background: rgb(233, 107, 103); " |'''52'''
|25
|-
|<u>''Abolition''</u> of the devolved Welsh parliament and government
|31
|style="background: rgb(233, 107, 103); " |46
|24
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:95%;"
|+Polls on the status of the Senedd
Line 933 ⟶ 995:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Polls on increased devolved powers
!Date(s) cConductedconducted
!Polling organisation
!Question/Statement
Line 964 ⟶ 1,026:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Polls in the absence of devolution, by political party
! rowspan="2" |Date(s) cConductedconducted
! rowspan="2" |Polling organisation & client
! rowspan="2" |Sample size
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_devolution"