Assembly Powers

The annual BBC Wales poll shows that (according to the Western Mail's site):

More people think that Wales is better governed now (39%) than think it has got worse (18%), but one in three (37%) think there's been no change;

Since 1999, when the Assembly came into being, twice as many think things have got better for them (30%) than think things have got worse (14%), but half (53%) think there's no difference;

A significantly greater percentage think Wales as a whole has got better (43%) with 18% saying things are worse and more than a third (36%) thinking there's no difference.

A high proportion - 39% - want more powers for the Assembly:

When it comes to constitutional preferences, one in seven (16%) want an independent Wales (10% within the EU and 6% outside), with slightly more (20%) wanting to scrap the Assembly. However, in line with earlier findings, more people want to give the Assembly extra powers (39%) than anything else, including the current settlement which is supported by 21%.

The BBC's interpretation is:

According to the poll's findings, public opinion in Wales seems to be moving in favour of devolution and an increasing majority of people want that process to accelerate significantly.

Back in 1997, when the Labour government began to implement the devolution process, almost 40% in Wales were firmly against the creation of any kind of assembly, while fewer than 20% wanted a full law-making parliament.

Figures reversed

However, according to the St David's Day poll, these figures have now been completely reversed - with just 20% wanting to abolish the assembly, 21% wanting to keep the status quo, 39% want a more powerful parliament (with full law-making and tax-varying powers), and 16% in favour of independence.

This confirms the view I took when interviewed by Golwg in December that we could win a referendum on primary powers.