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Understanding devolution in Wales
Understanding devolution in Wales

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This is an article written in both English and Welsh, titled 'Wales deserves a voice / Mae Cymru'n haeddu cael llais'. There is a photograph of Prime Minister Tony Blair in the centre, with a letter from him underneath. The letter is headed ‘Wales has the chance to vote for a new future’ and reads as follows: ‘On May 1 Labour gained its best ever result in a general election, including seven Labour gains in Wales. Millions of people were attracted to Labour by our promise to transform Britain. In just a few months we have changed the direction, feel and pace of government – new legislation on schools, hospitals and law and order – showing that Britain can be better. And now we are giving the people of Wales the chance to vote in the referendum for a Welsh Assembly. I want you to vote yes for a strong voice for Wales in a modern constitution. Say 'yes' to a new Wales. Wales deserves it.’ It is then signed from Tony Blair. The article is written with the English text on the left, and the Welsh on the right. The English text reads as follows: ‘A Welsh Assembly is part of new Labour's vision for a modern Britain. It will give Wales the recognition it deserves. Labour's new Assembly will give Wales: A better health service – by ensuring that scarce resources are spent on nurses not bureaucrats and red tape. Better schools – by setting tough new standards for literacy, numeracy and overall achievement.. Better job opportunities – by providing a voice in Europe and around the world, to attract investment and back Welsh companies. Better democracy – by ensuring that decisions about local schools and hospitals are made by people elected in Wales not behind closed doors in London. Better value for money – by bringing Welsh quangos to public account and scrutinising spending decisions.’ The Welsh text reads as follows: ‘Rhan o weledigaeth Llafur newydd i gael Prydain fodern yw Cynulliad Cymreig. Bydd yn rhoi i Gymru y gydnabyddiaeth y mae'n ei haeddu. Bydd Cynulliad newydd Llafur yn rhoi'r rhain i Gymru: Gwell gwasanaeth iechyd – drwy sicrhau y caiff adnoddau prin eu gwario ar nyrsys ac nid ar fiwrocratiaid a biwrocratiaeth. Gwell ysgolion – drwy bennu safonau newydd a llym ar gyfer llythrennedd, rhifedd a chyrhaeddiad yn gyffredinol. Gwell cyfle i gael gwaith – drwy ddarparu llais yn Ewrop ac o amgylch y byd, i ddenu buddsoddiadau a chefnogi cwmnïau Cymreig. Gwell democratiaeth – drwy sicrhau mai pobl a etholwyd yng Nghymru, ac nid pobl y tu ôl i ddrysau caeëdig yn Llundain, sy'n gwneud y penderfyniadau ynghylch ysgolion ac ysbytai lleol. Gwell gwerth am yr arian – drwy sicrhau bod cwangos Cymru'n atebol i'r cyhoedd, ac archwilio'r penderfyniadau ar wario.’
Figure 4 ‘Wales deserves a voice’

 2.3 1997 referendum