8.5 The referendum in Wales – to make its own laws
On 3 March 2011 a referendum took place in Wales. The people of Wales were asked if the Welsh Assembly should be allowed to pass its own legislation. The outcome of the referendum was positive: this means that the 20 devolved fields, which deal with specific areas such as health and education, no longer need further approval from the Westminster Parliament in order to create new laws. It also means that the terminology has changed. Instead of using the phrase ‘measures’, the Welsh Assembly considers new legislation in the form of a Bill, which if passed will become a statute. This means that the Welsh Assembly has gained additional powers and reflects the same law-making process as that carried out in the Westminster Parliament.
Activity 10 Referendum: key questions
This activity will reinforce the points made above and allow you to consider the changes that have taken place.
Watch the following two films, which provide a short overview of the referendum in Wales. These films outline the changes that have taken place since March 2011. The Welsh Assembly is now allowed to make its own legislation in any of the 20 devolved fields.
OpenLearn - The law-making process in England and Wales
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