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Encyclopedia > Politics of Wales
Wales

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Wales This article is about the country. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ...

    1997, 2001, 2005, 2009/10 Contemporary Welsh Law is a term applied to the body of primary and secondary legislation generated by the National Assembly of Wales, according to newly devolved authority granted in the United Kingdom parliament Government of Wales Act 2006. ... English law is a formal term of art that describes the law for the time being in force in England and Wales. ... Schematic of court system for England and Wales The Courts of England and Wales are the civil and criminal courts responsible for the administration of justice in England and Wales; they are constituted and governed by the Law of England and Wales and are subordinate to the Parliament of the... Type Unicameral Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas Members 60 Political groups Labour Plaid Cymru Conservative Liberal Democrats Last elections May 3, 2007 Meeting place Senedd, Cardiff, Wales Web site http://www. ... This is a list of Measures of the National Assembly for Wales. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales performs a similar function to that of the Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament, ie. ... Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Baron Elis-Thomas of Nant Conwy, AM, is a UK politician from Wales. ... The National Assembly for Wales is composed of 60 members known as AMs or assembly members (in Welsh: ACau or Aelodaur Cynulliad). ... This is a list of Assembly Members (AMs) or, in Welsh, Aelodaur Cynulliad (ACau) elected to the third National Assembly for Wales at the 2007 election. ... National Assembly for Wales constituencies and electoral regions were first used for the Welsh Assembly election, 1999. ... Wales has elections to four tiers of government: 22 unitary local authorities, the National Assembly for Wales, the United Kingdom Parliament and the European Parliament. ... The first National Assembly for Wales election was held in 1999. ... The National Assembly for Wales election, 2003, was the second general election to the National Assembly for Wales. ... The 2007 National Assembly election was the third general election to the National Assembly for Wales and took place on Thursday 3 May, the same day as local elections in England and Scotland, and the Scottish Parliament election. ... The National Assembly for Wales election 2011 will be the next election for the National Assembly and the Welsh Assembly Government. ... Official logo of the Welsh Assembly Government The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) (Welsh: , LlCC) was firstly an executive body of the National Assembly for Wales, consisting of the First Minister and his Cabinet from 1999 to 2007. ... The First Minister (Welsh: ) is the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, Waless devolved administration. ... Rhodri Morgan, pictured while on an eve of poll visit during the National Assembly of Wales election in 2003. ... The First Minister is the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, Waless devolved administration. ... Ieuan Wyn Jones (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member of the National Assembly for Wales for the Ynys Môn constituency. ... Official logo of the Welsh Assembly Government The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) (Welsh: , LlCC) was firstly an executive body of the National Assembly for Wales, consisting of the First Minister and his Cabinet from 1999 to 2007. ... The Counsel General for Wales is the Welsh equivalent to the Attorney General, he advises the Welsh Assembly Government on Welsh legislative matters and advises on legislative competency. ... Carwyn Jones (born 21 March 1967) is the Member of the Welsh Assembly for Bridgend and Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside in the Welsh Assembly Government. ... Type Bicameral Houses House of Commons House of Lords Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin MP Lord Speaker Hélène Hayman, PC Members 1377 (646 Commons, 731 Peers) Political groups Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Democratic Unionist Party Sinn Féin... To see the list in alphabetical order see the categories UK Parliamentary constituencies and UK Parliamentary constituencies (historic). ... This is a incomplete list of Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (or its predecessors) for the years to 1987, and a complete list of Acts passed from 1 January 1988 to the dissolution of Parliament on 11 April 2005. ... To see the list in alphabetical order see the categories UK Parliamentary constituencies and UK Parliamentary constituencies (historic). ... Wales has elections to four tiers of government: 22 unitary local authorities, the National Assembly for Wales, the United Kingdom Parliament and the European Parliament. ... The United Kingdom general election of 1979 was held on 3 May 1979 and is regarded as a pivotal point in 20th century British politics. ... The UK general election, 1983 was held on June 9, 1983 and gave the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945. ... Margaret Thatcher David Steel Election 1987 Titles The United Kingdom general election of 1987 was held on 11 June 1987 and was the third consecutive victory for the Conservative Party under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher. ... The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ... Tony Blair William Hague Charles Kennedy The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ... It has been suggested that Marginal constituencies in the United Kingdom be merged into this article or section. ... Under the provisions of the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949, the next United Kingdom general election must be held on or before 3 June 2010, barring exceptional circumstances. ...

    1999, 2004, 2009 A logo of Her Majestys Government. ... The Wales Office is a United Kingdom government department. ... The Secretary of State for Wales is the head of the Wales Office within the United Kingdom cabinet. ... Peter Gerald Hain PC MP (born February 16, 1950, Nairobi, Kenya) is a British, Left-wing Labour Party politician and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (he is also Secretary of State for Wales). ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild... Wales is a constituency of the European Parliament. ... Wales has elections to four tiers of government: 22 unitary local authorities, the National Assembly for Wales, the United Kingdom Parliament and the European Parliament. ... The European Assembly Election, 1979, was the first European election to be held in the United Kingdom after the European Community (EC) decided to directly elect representatives to the European Parliament. ... The European Parliament Election, 1984 was the second European election to be held in the United Kingdom. ... The European Parliament Election, 1989 was the third European election to be held in the United Kingdom. ... The European Parliament Election, 1994 was the fourth European election to be held in the United Kingdom. ... The European Parliament Election, 1999 was the UK part of the European Parliament election 1999. ... The European Parliament election, 2004 was the UK part of the European Parliament election, 2004. ... Elections to the European Parliament will be held in June 2006 in the then–27 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according to local custom. ...

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Politics in Wales forms a distinctive polity in the wider politics of the United Kingdom, with Wales as one of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom. For local government purposes, Wales is divided into 22 unitary authorities. ... This is a list of political parties in the United Kingdom. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... For other uses, see Polity (disambiguation). ... The Politics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland takes place in the framework of a constitutional monarchy in which the Monarch is head of state and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the head of government. ... This article is about the country. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ...


Constitutionally, the United Kingdom is de jure a unitary state with one sovereign parliament and government. However, under a system of devolution (or home rule) adopted in the late 1990s three of the four constituent countries within the United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, voted for limited self-government, subject to the ability of the UK Parliament in Westminster, nominally at will, to amend, change, broaden or abolish the national governmental systems. As such the the National Assembly of Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) is not de jure sovereign. However, it is thought unlikely that any UK parliament would try to unilaterally abolish the devolved parliament and government without consultation via a referendum with the voters of the constituent country. The United Kingdom has an uncodified constitution, which means it is not all contained in a single document. ... Look up De jure in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A map showing the unitary states. ... “Sovereign” redirects here. ... Look up Devolution in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the country. ... Northern Ireland (Irish: , Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a constituent country of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... Self-governance is an abstract concept that refers to several scales of organization. ... The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ... “Houses of Parliament” redirects here. ... The National Assembly for Wales (or NAfW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) is a devolved assembly (not a full legislature) with power to make regulations in Wales, and also is responsible for most UK government departments in Wales. ... “Sovereign” redirects here. ... Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ...


Executive power in the United Kingdom is vested in the Queen-in-Council, while legislative power is vested in the Queen-in-Parliament (the Crown and the Parliament of the United Kingdom at Westminster in London). The Government of Wales Act 1998 established devolution in Wales, and certain executive and legislative powers have been constitutionally delegated to the National Assembly for Wales. The scope of these powers are further widened with a second Government of Wales Act 2006 scheduled to be in force by May 2007, after the Welsh general elections. Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... In the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Queen-in-Council is the legal designation of the executive branch of government. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... The Queen-in-Parliament (or King-in-Parliament when there is a male monarch) is a British constitutional law term for the British Crown in its legislative role, acting with the advice and consent of the House of Commons and House of Lords. ... Type Bicameral Houses House of Commons House of Lords Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin MP Lord Speaker Hélène Hayman, PC Members 1377 (646 Commons, 731 Peers) Political groups Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Democratic Unionist Party Sinn Féin... “Houses of Parliament” redirects here. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... The Government of Wales Act, 1998 (1998 c. ... Type Unicameral Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas Members 60 Political groups Labour Plaid Cymru Conservative Liberal Democrats Last elections May 3, 2007 Meeting place Senedd, Cardiff, Wales Web site http://www. ... The Government of Wales Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ...


See also National Assembly for Wales election, 2007 The 2007 National Assembly election was the third general election to the National Assembly for Wales and took place on Thursday 3 May, the same day as local elections in England and Scotland, and the Scottish Parliament election. ...

Contents

Establishing National Institutions

Deffroad Cymru, the Awakening of Wales Christopher Williams (1911)
Deffroad Cymru,
the Awakening of Wales
Christopher Williams (1911)

With the generation or so before 1922 there "had been a marked growth in the constitutional recognition of the Welsh nation," wrote historian Dr. John Davies[1]. A Welsh national consciousness re-emerged during the 19th century; leading to the establishment of the National Eisteddfod in 1861, the University of Wales (Prifysgol Cymru) in 1893, and the National Library of Wales (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru) in 1911, and by 1915 the Welsh Guards (Gwarchodlu Cymreig) was formed to include Wales in the UK national component to the Foot Guards. By 1924 there were people in Wales "eager to make their nationality the focus of Welsh politics[2]." Popular political movements dedicated to home rule, such as Cymru Fydd, however, failed to take root.[3] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Christopher David Williams (1873 – 1934) was a Welsh artist. ... This article is about the occupation of studying history. ... Professor John Davies is Waless a historian, and a television and radio broadcaster. ... Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolising French nationalism during the July Revolution 1830. ... The Eisteddfod (literally sitting) is a Welsh festival of literature, music, and song. ... The University of Wales (Prifysgol Cymru in Welsh) is a federal university founded in 1893. ... The front of the building The National Library of Wales (Welsh: Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru) is the national legal deposit library of Wales, located in Aberystwyth. ... The Welsh Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division. ... Foot guards is a term used to describe elite infantry regiments. ... The Cymru Fydd movement was founded in 1886 by some of the London Welsh, including J. E. Lloyd, O. M. Edwards, T. E. Ellis, Beriah Gwynfe Evans and Alfred Thomas. ...


Support for home rule for Wales and Scotland amongst most UK 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[4]. However, in the UK General Elections of 1922, 1923, and 1924; "Wales as a political issue was increasingly eliminated from the [national agenda][5]." By August 1925 unemployment in Wales rose to 28.5%, this in contrast to the economic boom in the early 1920's[6]. For Wales, the long depression began in 1925[7]. However, for some the constitutional debate seemed an exotic subject, according to historian Lord Morgan. [8] Between 1925 and 1949 there was no recognition of Wales as a distinctive nation, wrote Dr. Davies. Responding to a lack of Welsh deminsion to U.K. politics in the 1920s, Plaid Cymru was founded in 1925. Devolution or Home rule is the pooling of powers from central government to government at regional or local level. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Combatants Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, Irish Republican Brotherhood British Army Royal Irish Constabulary Commanders Patrick Pearse, James Connolly Brigadier-General Lowe General Sir John Maxwell Strength 1250 in Dublin, c. ... Kenneth Owen Morgan, Baron Morgan (born 16 May 1934) is a Welsh historian and author, known especially for his writings on British politics and Welsh history. ... See also Plaid Cymru: The Party of Wales Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru (the National Party of Wales, the founding name) originated after a 1925 National Eisteddfod meeting, held in Pwllheli[1]. Representatives from the Army of the Welsh Home Rulers (Byddin Ymreolwr Cymru) and The Welsh Movement (Y Mudiad Cymreig), both...


By the end of the Second World War; responding to Welsh nationalism and despite opposition by Labour politicians such as Aneurin Bevan, Morgan Phillips and Attlee; the U.K. government felt it prudent to establish the Council of Wales in 1948, an unelected assembly of 27 with the brief of advising the UK government on matters of Welsh interest[9]. The Council of Wales held no authority on its own, to the fustration of many of the councilors[10]. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... See also Plaid Cymru: The Party of Wales Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru (the National Party of Wales, the founding name) originated after a 1925 National Eisteddfod meeting, held in Pwllheli[1]. Representatives from the Army of the Welsh Home Rulers (Byddin Ymreolwr Cymru) and The Welsh Movement (Y Mudiad Cymreig), both... A statue of Bevan in Cardiff. ... Morgan Walter Phillips (18 June 1902-15 January 1963) was General Secretary of the British Labour Party, leading the party to two election victories. ... Churchill redirects here. ... The Council of Wales was an unelected council established in 1948 by the U.K. government until its dissestablishment with the formation of the Welsh Office]][1] . The formation of the Council of Wales was partially in response to Plaid Cymrus growing influence following the Second World War[2...


The effects of the depression had a lasting effect on the Labour Party. In 1947, the Welsh Regional Council of Labour was formed, as part of a move to plan the economy on an all-Wales basis. However, resistance from other elements of the party meant that the machinery of government was not similarly reformed until much later. The Wales Labour Party, also known as Welsh Labour, is the part of the Labour Party which operates in Wales. ...


By the end of the Second World War; responding to Welsh nationalism and despite opposition by Labour politicians such as Aneurin Bevan, Morgan Phillips and Clemet Attlee; the Conservitive led U.K. government felt it prudent to establish the Council of Wales in 1948, an unelected assembly of 27 with the brief of advising the UK government on matters of Welsh interest[11]. The Council of Wales held no authority on its own, to the fustration of many of the councilors[12]. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... A statue of Bevan in Cardiff. ... Morgan Walter Phillips (18 June 1902-15 January 1963) was General Secretary of the British Labour Party, leading the party to two election victories. ... Churchill redirects here. ... The Council of Wales was an unelected council established in 1948 by the U.K. government until its dissestablishment with the formation of the Welsh Office]][1] . The formation of the Council of Wales was partially in response to Plaid Cymrus growing influence following the Second World War[2...


As a result of the controversy surrounding the flooding of Capel Celyn in 1956, the Council of Wales recommended the creation of a Welsh Office and Secretary of State for Wales early in 1957, at a time when the governance of Wales on a national level was so demonstrably lacking in many people's eyes.[13] Almost unanimous Welsh political opposition had failed to stop approval of the scheme, a fact that seemed to underline Plaid Cymru's argument that the Welsh national community was powerless[14]. Capel Celyn was a rural community to the North West of Bala in North Wales, in the Tryweryn Valley. ... The Welsh Office building in Whitehall, London The Welsh Office was a department in the Government of the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Wales. ... The Secretary of State for Wales is the head of the Wales Office within the United Kingdom cabinet. ...


With Plaid Cymru expanding its influence further into the industrial south-east constituencies, the UK government gave in on small concessions towards devolution[15]. First with the established a Minister of Welsh Affairs in 1951, then a Digest of Welsh Statistics began publication in 1954, and in 1955 Cardiff (Caerdydd) was recognized as the Welsh capital city Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the capital city of Wales. ...


The creation of the unelective Welsh Office under the Labour's Wilson government in 1964 also included the creation of a Cabinet position. The Welsh office replaced the Minister for Welsh Affairs created by the earlier Conservative government. The creation of the Welsh office effectively defined the territorial governance of modern Wales.[16] The Welsh Office building in Whitehall, London The Welsh Office was a department in the Government of the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Wales. ... James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, PC (11 March 1916 – 24 May 1995) was one of the most prominent British politicians of the 20th century. ...


With the surprise election of Plaid Cymru president Gwynfor Evans in 1966, and a stronger showing of Plaid Cymru in elections across Wales, the issue of devolution was back on the national political agenda, wrote Dr. Davies[17]. A Plaid Cymru under Evans and a Labour party influenced by Gwilym Prys Davies (Gwilyn Prys Davies had published a Labour pamphlet calling for a National Assembly of Wales in 1963[18]) and James Griffiths, the argument "in favor of a political system in Wales more answerable to the electoriate" was plausible[19]." Additionally, the Labour government endorsed plans for an elected council for Wales weeks before Evans' win in the by-election. Richard Gwynfor Evans (1 September 1912 – April 21, 2005), was a Welsh politician and the first Member of Parliament to represent Plaid Cymru at Westminster (1966-1970; 1974-1979). ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... James Jim Griffiths (1890-1975) was a Welsh Labour politician, the prime mover in the establishment of the Welsh Office. ...


In 1967 the Welsh Language Act was passed, giving some legal protection for the use of Welsh in official government business. The Act was based on the Hughes Parry report, published in 1965, which advocated equal validity for Welsh in speech and in written documents, both in the courts and in public administration in Wales. However the Act did not include all the Hughes Parry report's recommendations, which included the full recognition of the Welsh language as equal to the English language. Prior to the Act, only the English language could be spoken at government and court proceedings. The Welsh Language Act 1967 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which gave some rights to use the Welsh language in legal proceedings in Wales and gave the relevant Minister the right to authorise the production of a Welsh version of any documents required or allowed... Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...


The Royal Commission on the Constitution (the Kilbrandon Commission) was set up in 1969 by Harold Wilson's Labour Government to investigate the possibility of devolution for Scotland and Wales.[20] Its recommendations formed the basis of the 1974 White Paper Democracy and Devolution: proposals for Scotland and Wales.[20], which proposed the creation of a Welsh Assembly. However, voters rejected the proposals by a majority of four to one in a referendum held in 1979.[21][20] Royal Commission on the Constitution can refer to: Royal Commission on the Constitution (Australia), 1927-1929 Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom), 1969-1973, also known as the Crowther Commission, Kilbrandon Commission or Kilbrandon Report Royal Commission of Inquiry on Constitutional Problems, Canada, 1953-1956 Category: ... James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, PC (11 March 1916 – 24 May 1995) was one of the most prominent British politicians of the 20th century. ... A white paper is an authoritative report. ... In a referendum on St Davids Day (March 1) 1979, the people of Wales voted against proposals by the Labour government of the United Kingdom to establish a Welsh Assembly. ...


Though having failed in 1979, devolution, or home rule, was approved by the Welsh people by refrendum in 1999. The Welsh Office powers were transferred to a newly created National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) and a Welsh Assembly Government (Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru) committee created from within the assembly to exercise these powers. Further authority is scheduled to be devolved in May 2007, with the creation of a Welsh legal system to adjudicate on specific cases of Welsh law. Look up Devolution in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A map showing the result of the referendum by unitary authority. ... Type Unicameral Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas Members 60 Political groups Labour Plaid Cymru Conservative Liberal Democrats Last elections May 3, 2007 Meeting place Senedd, Cardiff, Wales Web site http://www. ... Official logo of the Welsh Assembly Government The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) (Welsh: , LlCC) was firstly an executive body of the National Assembly for Wales, consisting of the First Minister and his Cabinet from 1999 to 2007. ...


Contemporary Welsh politics

Topics of Welsh politics

Hospital reoganization and closings
Emergency Ambulance arrival times
Availability of services and wait times
Loss of jobs and closings of businesses
Gaining of jobs and arrival of businesses
Welsh language groups such as Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg desire a new Welsh Language Act.
  • Devolving Welsh policing authority from London to the Welsh Assembly

The logo of NHS Wales NHS Wales is the name for the National Health Services activities in Wales. ... The Welsh Ambulance Service (also called the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust or Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru) was established on April 1, 1998 and has 2,500 staff providing ambulance and related services to the 2. ... The Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) is an examination board traditionally serving Wales, but now also serving England and Northern Ireland. ... Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ... Tafod y Ddraig (the Dragons Tongue), the society logo Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society, often abbreviated to Cymdeithas or Cymdeithas yr Iaith) is a pressure group in Wales campaigning for the future of the Welsh language. ... The Welsh Language Act 1993 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which put the Welsh language on an equal footing with the English language in Wales with regard to the public sector. ... Look up Devolution in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The National Assembly for Wales (or NAW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in 1998, following a 1997 referendum in which a small majority of voters (but not the electorate) voted in favour of the Labour Governments plans for devolution. ...

The National Assembly for Wales

Left The logo of the National Assembly for Wales (NAW) including the name in Welsh and English below. ...


The National Assembly for Wales (NAW or NAfW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru [CCC]‍) is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The assembly building is known as the Senedd. Both English and Welsh languages are treated on a basis of equality in the conduct of business in the Assembly. Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ... Look up Devolution in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      The National Assembly is either a legislature, or the lower house of a bicameral legislature in some countries. ... This article is about the country. ... The National Assembly for Wales Building at night The Senedd in the daytime The Senedd (Welsh for Parliament or Senate) is the home of the National Assembly for Wales. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ...


The Assembly was formed under the Government of Wales Act 1998, by the Labour government, following a referendum in 1997. The campaign for a 'yes' vote in the referendum was supported by Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats and much of Welsh civic society, such as church groups and the trade union movement.[22] The Conservative Party was the only major political party in Wales to oppose devolution.[23] The Government of Wales Act, 1998 (1998 c. ... The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Wales referendum of 1997 was a pre-legislative referendum held in Wales only over whether there was support for the creation of an assembly for Wales. ... The Wales Labour Party, also known as Welsh Labour, is the part of the Labour Party which operates in Wales. ... Plaid Cymru (IPA:; English: ; often referred to simply as Plaid) is a political party in Wales. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ...


The election in 2003 produced an assembly in which half of the assembly seats were held by women. This is thought to be the first time elections to a legislature have produced equal representation for women.[24]


The National Assembly consists of 60 elected members. They use the title Assembly Member (AM) or Aelod y Cynulliad (AC).[25] Since its creation in 1999, the Assembly's presiding officer has been Plaid Cymru member Lord Elis-Thomas. The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales performs a similar function to that of the Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament, ie. ... Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Baron Elis-Thomas of Nant Conwy, AM, is a UK politician from Wales. ...


The Welsh Assembly Government is led by First Minister Rhodri Morgan of Welsh Labour.[26] in coalition with Plaid Cymru, who's leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones is Deputy First Minister. Official logo of the Welsh Assembly Government The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) (Welsh: , LlCC) was firstly an executive body of the National Assembly for Wales, consisting of the First Minister and his Cabinet from 1999 to 2007. ... Rhodri Morgan, pictured while on an eve of poll visit during the National Assembly of Wales election in 2003. ... The Wales Labour Party, also known as Welsh Labour, is the part of the Labour Party which operates in Wales. ... Plaid Cymru (IPA:; English: ; often referred to simply as Plaid) is a political party in Wales. ... Ieuan Wyn Jones (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member of the National Assembly for Wales for the Ynys Môn constituency. ...


The executive and civil servants are based in Cardiff's Cathays Park while the Assembly Members, the Assembly Parliamentary Service and Ministerial support staff are based in Cardiff Bay where a new £67 million Assembly Building, known as the Senedd, has recently been built.[27][28][29] Cathays Park is a civic area in central Cardiff, Wales, consisting of a number of early 20th century buildings and a central park area. ... Cardiff Bay Cardiff Bay (Welsh: Bae Caerdydd) is the regeneration area created by the Cardiff Barrage which impounded two rivers (Taff and Ely) to form a new 500 acre freshwater lake around the former dockland area south of the city centre of Cardiff in south Wales. ...


Until May 2007 one important feature of the Assembly is that there is no legal or constitutional separation of the legislative and executive functions, since it was a single corporate entity. Even compared with other parliamentary systems, and other UK devolved countries, this was highly unusual. In reality however there was day to day separation, and the terms "Assembly Government" and "Assembly Parliamentary Service" were used to distinguish between the two arms. The Government of Wales Act 2006 regularised the separation once it comes into effect following the 2007 Assembly Election. A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... The Government of Wales Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ...

Senedd, home to the National Assembly for Wales
Senedd, home to the National Assembly for Wales

Although the Assembly is a legislature, it has limited legislative power and each Law it wishes to pass needs Westminster to consent. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2304x1728, 1306 KB) Summary I took this photo myself. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2304x1728, 1306 KB) Summary I took this photo myself. ...


Whilst in theory the Assembly has no tax varying powers, the Assembly in reality has some very limited power over taxes.[citation needed] For example, in Wales, as in England, the rate of Council Tax is set by local authorities, however since the Assembly largely determines the level of grants to local councils, it can influence the level of local taxation indirectly.[citation needed] The Council Tax is the main form of local taxation in England, Scotland and Wales. ... There is no single system of local government in the United Kingdom. ...


In terms of charges for government services it also has some discretion. Notable examples where this discretion has been used and varies significantly to other areas in the UK include:-

  1. Charges for NHS prescriptions in Wales - these are now considerably less than elsewhere in the UK.[30]
  2. Charges for University Tuition - are different for Welsh resident students studying at Welsh Universities, compared with students from or studying elsewhere in the UK.[31]
  3. Charging for Residential Care - In Wales there is a flat rate of contribution towards the cost of nursing care, (roughly comparable to the highest level of English Contribution) for those who require residential care.[32]

This means in reality there is a wider definition of "nursing care" than in England and therefore less dependence on means testing in Wales than in England, meaning that more people are entitled to higher levels of state assistance. These variations in the levels of charges, may be viewed as de facto tax varying powers. De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without...


This model of more limited legislative powers is partly because Wales has had the same legal system as England since 1536, when it was annexed by England. Ireland and Scotland were never annexed by England, and so always retained some distinct differences in their legal systems. The Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly, (when it isn't suspended) have deeper and wider powers. For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... The Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542 were a series of parliamentary measures by which the legal system of Wales was annexed to England and the norms of English administration introduced in order to create a single state and a single legal jurisdiction, which is frequently referred to as England... The Acts of Union were twin Acts of Parliament passed in 1707 (taking effect on 26 March) by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland. ... For the national legislative body up to 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. ... The logo of the Northern Ireland Assembly, a six flowered linen or flax plant. ...


The Assembly inherited the powers and budget of the Secretary of State for Wales and most of the functions of the Welsh Office. It has power to vary laws passed by Westminster using secondary legislation. Peter Hain, whose principal UK cabinet role is as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and who represents a Welsh constituency in the Westminster Parliament, retains a vestigial role as Secretary of State for Wales. The Secretary of State for Wales is the head of the Wales Office within the United Kingdom cabinet. ... The Welsh Office building in Whitehall, London The Welsh Office was a department in the Government of the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Wales. ... Peter Gerald Hain PC MP (born February 16, 1950, Nairobi, Kenya) is a British, Left-wing Labour Party politician and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (he is also Secretary of State for Wales). ... The Secretary of State for Wales is the head of the Wales Office within the United Kingdom cabinet. ...


Welsh Assembly Government

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister of Wales
Ieuan Wyn Jones,
Deputy First Minister of Wales

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) (Welsh: Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, LlCC) is the executive body of the National Assembly for Wales, consisting of the First Minister and his Cabinet. Image File history File links The logo of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) including the name in Welsh and English below. ... Image File history File links Ieuan_Wyn_Jones. ... Image File history File links Ieuan_Wyn_Jones. ... Ieuan Wyn Jones (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member of the National Assembly for Wales for the Ynys Môn constituency. ... The First Minister of Wales is the leader of Wales and of the Welsh Assembly Government, Waless devolved administration. ... Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ... Type Unicameral Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas Members 60 Political groups Labour Plaid Cymru Conservative Liberal Democrats Last elections May 3, 2007 Meeting place Senedd, Cardiff, Wales Web site http://www. ... The First Minister of Wales is the leader of Wales and of the Welsh Assembly Government, Waless devolved administration. ... A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ...


The Cabinet Members of the Welsh Assembly Government are:


Coalition Government: July 2007


On 9 July 2007 a coalition Labour and Plaid Cymru was formed and ministerial positions were confirmed on 19 July 2007 by the First Minister. Cabinet Members of the Welsh Assembly Government: is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Wales Labour Party, also known as Welsh Labour, is the part of the Labour Party which operates in Wales. ... Plaid Cymru (IPA:; English: ; often referred to simply as Plaid) is a political party in Wales. ... is the 200th day of the year (201st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...


First Minister


Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan AM (Labour) The Right Honourable (abbreviated The Rt Hon. ... Rhodri Morgan, pictured while on an eve of poll visit during the National Assembly of Wales election in 2003. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ...


Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economy and Transport


Ieuan Wyn Jones AM (Plaid Cymru) Ieuan Wyn Jones (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member of the National Assembly for Wales for the Ynys Môn constituency. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ...


Welsh Ministers

Deputy Welsh Ministers Andrew Davies (born 5 May 1952 in Hereford) is a Labour politician; currently Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery in the Welsh Assembly Government and member for the constituency of Swansea West in the National Assembly for Wales. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Jane Davidson (born 1957) is the Assembly Member for Pontypridd. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Brian Gibbons was elected Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Health & Social Services in 2005. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Jane Hutt (born ?1949) is a Welsh Labour politician. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Edwina Hart (born 1957) is the the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Elin Jones Elin Jones is a Plaid Cymru politician. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM was born in 1953 at Wrexham, Clwyd, north Wales. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ...

Counsel General for Wales // Gwenda Thomas AM (born in Neath, 1942) is the Labour Welsh Assembly Member for Neath. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Leighton Andrews (born Cardiff) is a Welsh Labour politician, currently the National Assembly for Wales member for Rhondda. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Jocelyn Andrea Victoria Davies (Born March 24, 1986 in Manchester,England) is one of Britains young and rich club. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... John Griffiths (born 1956) is a Labour and Co-operative politician and Member of the Welsh Assembly for Newport East since 1999. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ...

  • Carwyn Jones AM (Labour) also holds the position of Leader of the House

Carl Sargeant AM holds the non-ministerial post of Labour Chief Whip and attends Cabinet. Carwyn Jones (born 21 March 1967) is the Member of the Welsh Assembly for Bridgend and Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside in the Welsh Assembly Government. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ... Carl Sargeant (b 1968, St Asaph, Wales) is a Welsh Labour Party politician and a member of the National Assembly of Wales for Alyn and Deeside constituency. ... An Assembly Member (Welsh: ) (AM) is a member of the Welsh Assembly in Wales, UK; or the London Assembly in London, UK. Categories: | ...


The Welsh Assembly Government had no independent executive powers in law - unlike for instance, the Scottish Ministers and Ministers in the UK government. The Assembly was established as a body corporate by the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the executive, as a committee of the Assembly, only has those powers that the Assembly as a whole votes to vest in ministers. The Government of Wales Act 2006 has formally separated the Assembly and the Welsh Assembly Government giving Welsh Ministers independent executive authority. The Government of Wales Act, 1998 (1998 c. ... A committee is a (relatively) small group that can serve one of several functions: Governance: in organizations too large for all the members to participate in decisions affecting the organization as a whole, a committee (such as a Board of Directors) is given the power to make decisions. ... The Government of Wales Act 2006 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ...


Political parties

Throughout much of the 19th century, Wales was a bastion of the Liberal Party. From the early 20th century, the Labour Party has emerged as the most popular political party in Wales, having won the largest share of the vote at every UK General Election, National Assembly of Wales election and European Parliament election since 1922.[33] The Wales Labour Party has traditionally been most successful in the industrial south Wales valleys, north east Wales and urban costal areas, such as Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. This article is about the historic Liberal Party. ... The Wales Labour Party, also known as Welsh Labour, is the part of the Labour Party which operates in Wales. ... This is a list of United Kingdom general elections since 1802. ... The National Assembly for Wales (or NAfW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) is a devolved assembly (not a full legislature) with power to make regulations in Wales, and also is responsible for most UK government departments in Wales. ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild... This article is about the capital city of Wales. ... For other uses, see Newport (disambiguation). ... For other places with the same name, see Swansea (disambiguation). ...


The Welsh Conservative Party has historically been the second political party of Wales, having obtained the second largest share of the vote in Wales in a majority of UK General Elections since 1885.[34] In three General Elections (1906, 1997 and 2001) no Conservative MPs were returned to Westminster, while on only two occasions in the 20th century (1979 and 1983) have more than a quarter of Welsh constituencies been represented by Conservatives. The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... The UK general election of 1906 was from 12th January – 8th February 1906. ... The UK general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997. ... Tony Blair William Hague Charles Kennedy The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ... The United Kingdom general election of 1979 was held on 3 May 1979 and is regarded as a pivotal point in 20th century British politics. ... The UK general election, 1983 was held on June 9, 1983 and gave the Conservatives and Margaret Thatcher the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945. ...


Plaid Cymru is the principal nationalist political party in Wales. The Party was formed in 1925, but did not contest a majority of seats in any UK General Election until 1959. In 1966 the first Plaid Cymru MP was returned to Parliament. Plaid Cymru's share of the vote since has averaged 10%, with the highest share ever - 14.3% - gained in the 2001 General Election.[35] Plaid Cymru is strongest in rural Welsh-speaking areas of north and west Wales. Plaid Cymru (IPA:; English: ; often referred to simply as Plaid) is a political party in Wales. ... Nationalism is an ideology that creates and sustains a nation as a concept of a common identity for groups of humans. ... This United Kingdom general election was held on October 8, 1959, and marked a third successive victory for the ruling Conservative party, led by Harold MacMillan. ... The UK general election in 1966 was called by Harold Wilson because his government, elected in the 1964 election, had an unworkably small majority. ... Tony Blair William Hague Charles Kennedy The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ... Approximate extent of North Wales North Wales (known in some archaic texts as Northgalis) is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales, bordered to the south by Mid Wales. ... West Wales is the west area of Wales bordered by South Wales to the east. ...


The Welsh Liberal Democrats are part of the federal Liberal Democrats, and were formed by the merger of the Social Democratic Party (the SDP) and the Liberal Party in 1988. Since then they have gained an average vote share of 14% with the highest share - 18% - gained at the 2005 General Election. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have the strongest support in rural mid and west Wales. The party performs relatively strongly in local government elections. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Social Democratic Party (SDP) was a political party of the United Kingdom that existed nationwide between 1981 and 1988. ... This article is about the historic Liberal Party. ... It has been suggested that Marginal constituencies in the United Kingdom be merged into this article or section. ...


Current party representation

Party MEPs MPs AMs Local Authority overall control
Labour 2 of 4 29 of 40 26 of 60 8 of 22
Plaid Cymru 1 of 4 3 of 40 15 of 60 1 of 22
Conservative 1 of 4 3 of 40 12 of 60 2 of 22
Liberal Democrat 0 of 4 4 of 40 6 of 60 0 of 22
Independent 0 of 4 1 of 40 1 of 60 0 of 22

The independents are Dai Davies and Trish Law, representing Blaenau Gwent in the Westminster Parliament and National Assembly respectively. Both have been linked to the group Blaenau Gwent People's Voice Group. The Labour Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. ... Plaid Cymru (IPA:; English: ; often referred to simply as Plaid) is a political party in Wales. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and the oldest political party in the United Kingdom. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... David Clifford Davies, some times known as Dai Davies, (born 26 November 1959) is the Independent MP for Blaenau Gwent. ... Patricia Trish Law is the Independent AM for Blaenau Gwent. ... Blaenau Gwent is a county borough and parliamentary constituency in South Wales. ... The Blaenau Gwent Peoples Voice Group is a socialist political party based in the Blaenau Gwent area of South Wales. ...


Subdivisions

Clock tower of Cardiff City Hall
Clock tower of Cardiff City Hall
Main article: Subdivisions of Wales

For the purposes of local government, Wales was divided into 22 council areas in 1996. These are unitary authorities responsible for the provision of all local government services, including education, social work, environment and roads services. Below these in some areas there are community councils — that cover specific areas within a council area. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1168x1752, 983 KB) Description: Tower in Cardiff, Wales, UK Source: Photo taken by Olivier Aumage Date: Created 08. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1168x1752, 983 KB) Description: Tower in Cardiff, Wales, UK Source: Photo taken by Olivier Aumage Date: Created 08. ... City Hall is a civic building in Cathays Park, Cardiff, Wales. ... For local government purposes, Wales is divided into 22 unitary authorities. ... Community councils (CCs) are the most local official representative bodies in Scotland and Wales. ...


The Queen appoints a