Wales

Welsh nationalism remained a strong force. Michael D. Jones, who helped set up a self-governing Welsh colony in Patagonia, Argentina, in 1865, is considered the founder of modern Welsh nationalism. The activities of Cymru Fydd (“Young Wales”) between 1885 and 1897, and of individuals like Robert Ambrose Jones (also known as Emrys ap Iwan) won the right to have Welsh included in the school curriculum in Wales in 1889.

Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales) was established in 1925. Its initial concern was with the resurrection of the Welsh language, the number of Welsh speakers having fallen from 55 per cent in 1891 to 37 per cent in 1931. It remained a peripheral body, however, until 1966, when its first member of parliament was elected.

A more generalized concern among the Welsh over the status of their nation led to the establishment of Cardiff as the Welsh capital in 1955, and to the appointment of the first British government minister for Welsh affairs in 1951. In 1964 the office was upgraded to that of Secretary of State, and the Welsh Office was based in Cardiff. In 1982 a Welsh-language television channel (S4C) was established, and in 1993 the Welsh Language Act established the principle that in local and central government administration, and in the courts, Welsh and English should be treated on an equal basis. Welsh education is now bilingual in most areas.

While Plaid Cymru continued to press for Welsh independence, when the issue was put to the whole nation in a referendum in 1979, Welsh voters rejected by a proportion of four to one the calls for a devolved parliament. In the general election of May 1997, Wales showed similar voting patterns to the rest of the United Kingdom; the Conservative Party lost the eight seats it was defending. Although Plaid Cymru achieved the same increase in support as the Scottish Nationalists in Scotland, as their support base was smaller, they failed to gain any seats other than the four they held before the election. In the Queen’s Speech delivered during the State Opening of Parliament, however, the new Labour government promised legislation to allow a referendum on the establishment of a Welsh assembly.

In the referendum held on September 18, 1997, Wales was able to vote on devolution. The proposal to have a Welsh assembly won just 50.3 per cent of the vote, with a turnout of only 50 per cent of the Welsh electorate. On May 6, 1999, the elections for the Welsh Assembly were held. Of the 60 seats, Labour won 28, Plaid Cymru 17, Conservatives 9, and Liberal Democrats 6. A minority Labour administration took control of the assembly. The assembly is based in Cardiff and has responsibility for handling annual grants from the Treasury in London for health, education, and transport (see Government: Executive and Legislature above).

Temporarily housed at Crickhowell House in Cardiff Bay, the assembly was opened by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. The second session began in September 1999 with pressure on assembly leader Alun Michael to secure a funding package for Wales from the Treasury. In February 2000, following delays in the delivery of the funding, Plaid Cymru tabled a motion of no confidence in the leadership, but Michael resigned before the vote was carried out. He was replaced by Rhodri Morgan, his rival in the Welsh Labour Party leadership elections of February 1999.

Elections to the Welsh Assembly were held on May 1, 2003. Labour took most seats with 30, one short of an outright majority but with sufficient support to lead the Assembly. Plaid Cymru won 12 seats, Conservatives 11, Liberal Democrats 6, and there was 1 Independent member. The election was notable for the lower voter turnout (38 per cent) and the high number of women AMs to take office (30). As leader of the largest party, Rhodri Morgan retained the post of First Minister. Four years later Labour lost ground, taking 26 seats while the Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru won 15. The Conservatives secured 12 seats, the Liberal Democrats 6, and there was 1 independent member. While still the largest party in the Assembly, it left Labour short of the necessary majority to govern. The turnout at the election was up at 43 per cent.