Yes for Wales

Yes for Wales! was the cross-party pro-devolution group that was launched on 10 February 1997 to co-ordinate the campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the Welsh devolution referendum, 1997 to create a National Assembly for Wales. It was supported by the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru.

The organisation placed a great emphasis on grassroots involvement in the campaign and is establishing local branches throughout Wales. It also managed the difficult job of pulling together campaigners and politicians with very different perspectives who previously fought each other tooth and nail.

The pro-devolution campaign was fought against some fierce opposition from within both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. Although the Assembly has gained increasing acceptance in both parties these tensions still exists.

The Yes for Wales! Campaign was chaired by Kevin Morgan a Cardiff University Professor. The campaign national organiser was Daran Hill.

During the campaign for a Welsh Assembly, Diana, Princess of Wales was killed in an auto accident in France. The campaign had been temporarily suspended and it was wondered what effect the death of the Princess of Wales would have on the election. Many commentators were concerned that the death of the princess and focus on the U.K. Royal Family would distract from the the devolution debate and effect turn out. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6993569.stm Thats When I Ran to the Phone BBC Wales Tuesday, 18 September 2007] ]

The Just Say No campaign in Wales was established by Betty Bowen and Carys Pugh, members of the Rhondda Constituency Labour Party. This was the campaign group that was opposed to the Assembly referendum question. The Just Say No campaign ran on a tenacious anti-devolution platform.

Book

The following books discuss the "Yes for Wales" group and the devolution referendum campaign :

* Leighton Andrews, Wales Says Yes: The Inside Story of the Yes for Wales referendum campaign, (Seren. Bridgend) 1999

ee also

* Welsh devolution referendum, 1997

References