1997 Welsh devolution referendum

1997 Welsh devolution referendum

18 September 1997
Do you agree that there should be a Welsh Assembly as proposed by the Government?
Outcome	The Government of Wales Act 1998 passes and the National Assembly for Wales is formed.
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 559,419 50.30% No 552,698 49.70% Valid votes 1,112,117 99.64% Invalid or blank votes 3,999 0.36% Total votes 1,116,116 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 2,222,533 50.22%
Results by unitary authorities
Saturation of colour reflects the strength of the vote.

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National and regional referendums held within the United Kingdom and its constituent countries
Northern Ireland border poll     1973 EC membership referendum     1975 Scottish devolution referendum     1979 Welsh devolution referendum     1979 Scottish devolution referendum     1997 Welsh devolution referendum     1997 Greater London Authority referendum     1998 NI Good Friday Agreement referendum     1998 NE England devolution referendum     2004 Welsh devolution referendum     2011 Alternative Vote referendum     2011 Scottish independence referendum     2014 EU membership referendum     2016     * UK-wide referendums in bold
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The Welsh devolution referendum of 1997 was a pre-legislative referendum held in Wales on 18 September 1997 over whether there was support for the creation of a National Assembly for Wales, and therefore a degree of self-government. The referendum was a Labour manifesto commitment and was held in their first term after the 1997 election under the provisions of the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Act 1997. This was the second referendum held in Wales over the question of devolution: the first referendum was held in 1979 and was defeated by a large majority.

The referendum resulted in a narrow majority in favour, which led to the passing of the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the formation of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999.