Welsh Devolution

Thursday 18 September, 1997

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The question of self-rule split Wales almost neatly down the center, even to the percentages who came out to vote.  Perhaps this was because the vote was announced so near the date of the election.  Perhaps too it was too soon after the death of Diana, who was Princess of Wales.  My practical side tells me it was more than likely the first reason.  Yet my romantic side urges that it was some symbolic act of loyalty to the beloved Princess.

The turnout was about 51% at the polls.  Meaning that nearly half of the population stayed away.  The 'Yes' vote slid through with a mere 50.3% of the total votes cast.

Eleven counties voted against the formation of a Welsh National Assembly, all but one of these are at the eastern border with England.  The 'yes' votes were primarily in the west and south of the country, where Labour and Plaid Cymru have many supporters.

Pembrokeshire                    19,979                    26,712
Powys                                23,038                    30,966
Rhondda Cynnon Taf          51,201                    36,362
Swansea                             42,789                    39,561
Torfaen                               15,756                    15,854
Vale of Glamorgan              17,776                    30,613
Wrexham                            18,574                    22,449
                                        559,419                   552,698

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