Welsh devolution: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:30, 1 December 2024

Revision as of 17:49, 10 January 2025

Line 5:

'''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]].

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 (survives as the ''[[England and Wales|]]''England and Wales'']] 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 [[1979 Welsh devolution referendum|1979 referendum]] on devolution failed by 79%, while 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. In 2020, the assembly was renamed to {{lang|cy|Senedd Cymru}}/Welsh Parliament (commonly known as the [[Senedd]]), to better reflect its expanded legislative powers.