2011 Welsh Referendum
The Secretary of State agreed to the National Assembly for Wales’ request to hold a referendum on its law-making powers, meeting the commitment in the Government’s Coalition Agreement.
What was the referendum about?
The referendum was about whether or not the National Assembly for Wales should have the power to make primary legislation itself in all the areas for which it already has responsibility instead of putting requests for the power to pass legislation in specific areas before the Houses of Parliament for scrutiny and approval, and acquiring law-making powers gradually in that way.
This referendum was held on 3rd March 2011.
It was held under the provisions of the Government of Wales Act 2006 – which meant that the referendum could only be about whether or not the primary law-making powers of the Assembly should be increased, as set out in that Act.
The result
The people of Wales had their say on the future of Welsh devolution, voting in favour of further powers for the National Assembly.
Detailed results can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.
This referendum result will enable the Assembly to legislate in the areas covered by the original devolution settlement. These include education and training, health and health services, environment and housing.
All the areas previously not devolved remain the responsibility of the UK Government and Parliament. They include fiscal, economic and monetary policy, defence and foreign affairs, policing, criminal and civil justice, social security, employment and energy (apart from small scale projects under 50 MW).
The enhanced law-making powers were conferred on the Assembly on 5 May 2011.