Welsh devolution
Calls for a parliament or devolution for Wales were not unique to the end of the 20th century. Undeb Cymru Fydd, established in 1941, began a ‘Campaign for a Welsh Senate’ in 1950. The Welsh Office came about in 1964 when James Griffiths was appointed Wales’ first Secretary of State. Following the Royal Commission chaired by Lord Kilbrandon a referendum was called in 1979, but devolution was soundly rejected by the people of Wales. On 18 September 1997 the government held a second referendum on devolution; Wales voted in favour, and the National Assembly opened on 26 May 1999.
