Parliament for Wales Campaign facts for kids
The Parliament for Wales Campaign (in Welsh: Ymgyrch Senedd i Gymru) was a group that worked to create a Welsh parliament in Wales. This parliament would have elected representatives. The campaign was also known as the "Campaign for a Welsh Assembly."
Contents
History
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First parade
People who wanted a Welsh parliament marched in Machynlleth on October 1, 1949. Machynlleth is an important place because it was where Owain Glyndŵr held his last parliament. There were also speakers and entertainment at the event.
Parliament for Wales Campaign 1950-1956
From 1950 to 1956, the Parliament for Wales Campaign worked to bring "devolution" back into political discussions. Devolution means giving more power to Wales to make its own decisions. Lady Megan Lloyd George led this campaign. She was the daughter of David Lloyd George, a former Prime Minister who had also supported more power for Wales.
The Campaign for a Welsh parliament officially started on July 1, 1950, at a meeting in Llandrindod. This led to a petition with 240,652 names. The petition asked for a Welsh parliament. Megan Lloyd George presented it to the House of Commons in 1956. However, the UK government said no.
Instead of an elected parliament, the UK government created the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire in 1948. This was an advisory group. Its members were chosen by the UK government, not elected by the people of Wales.
After the National Assembly was created
After the 1987 general election, a new group called the Campaign for a Senate was formed. This later became the Campaign for a Welsh Assembly. It officially launched in Merthyr Tydfil on November 26, 1988. The group held many meetings across Wales. They used both Welsh and English in their activities.
In 1993, the group changed its name to The Parliament for Wales Campaign. It remained a group that included members from different political parties. Its goal was to gain support for an elected parliament in Wales that could make its own laws.
In March 1994, the Campaign held a two-day meeting about democracy in Llandrindod. About 250 people attended, including politicians, church leaders, and local councils. The campaign also created surveys and petitions. They placed advertisements in newspapers to ask for more power for Wales.
After the National Assembly for Wales was set up in 1998, the Campaign continued its work. They wanted the Assembly to have similar law-making powers to the parliaments in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In 2013, the Campaign suggested more powers for the National Assembly for Wales to a group called the Silk II commission. They proposed that Wales should have more control over areas like:
- Human Rights and the justice system.
- Police, courts, animal welfare, and rail services.
- Social security, job creation, and elections.
- The right for Welsh courts to understand and use Welsh Law.
See also
