The National Assembly for Wales: Public Attitudes 2008
Preface by the Llywydd of the National Assembly for Wales, and Chair of the Assembly Commission Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas
This research study is the most authoritative and comprehensive survey of public opinion in Wales that has ever been held.
The National Assembly for Wales’s Commission has a duty to promote public awareness of devolved government in Wales.
In order to establish the views of the people of Wales about devolved government, the work of the National Assembly for Wales, and levels of interest in the Assembly, this study was commissioned by the National Assembly, and undertaken by the Institute of Welsh Politics, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and GfK NOP Social Research. The sample of 2,538 people surveyed throughout Wales is the largest political survey in Wales.
I believe that the insights and the views of the people of Wales gained from this survey, gives us clear leadership as members of the National Assembly.
It reflects a heartening level of interest throughout Wales in the work of the National Assembly for Wales, and reflects growing support for the extension of law making powers to the National Assembly for Wales. But it also signals a warning regarding the timing of the Referendum that is required by the Government of Wales Act 2006, to trigger greater legislative powers being granted to the Assembly.
It also underlines the confusion there exists amongst people in Wales about the relationship between the National Assembly and the Welsh Assembly Government.
I believe that the Government could take one very simple action to help clear the confusion and that is to remove the word ‘Assembly’ from its title. At a stroke, it would clarify the relationship between the two bodies.
As we approach the tenth anniversary of the creation of the Assembly, I am heartened by growing support and understanding of its work in all parts of Wales. It is also a timely reminder that for the National Assembly to truly engage with the public, we must work and engage with people throughout Wales, and not confine ourselves to a political bubble in Cardiff Bay.
It covers a number of issues, including attitudes in Wales towards the Assembly and devolution, public understanding of the Assembly’s role and responsibilities, what media do people use to get their information – all of which are factors that might influence the shape of the Assembly's interaction with the citizens of Wales.
When questioned, the majority of respondents (39%) wanted Wales to remain part of the UK but to have its own elected Parliament with full law-making and taxation powers. 31% of the people questioned wanted the Assembly to retain its current level of powers and 10% wanted Wales to become an independent state. Seventy percent of the representative sample questioned therefore favoured full or partial devolution for Wales. At the same time, only 15% now state they wish to abolish the Assembly – that percentage has halved since 1999.
This survey represents a challenge for us all to reinvigorate our work in the second decade of devolution, and I am sure it will be a catalyst for us all to examine how we can improve our work as Assembly members and our engagement with the people of Wales.
Contents of the Report
3. Public Attitudes towards the National Assembly and Devolution
4. Levels of Public Interest in, and Knowledge of, the National Assembly and Devolution
5. Sources of Public Knowledge and Information
Report prepared by: Prof Roger Scully (Institute of Welsh Politics, Aberystwyth University) with additional contributions by: Prof Richard Wyn Jones and Gwenan Creunant (Institute of Welsh Politics, Aberystwyth University), Richard Glendinning and Vicki Wright (GfK NOP)
13th October 2008
