2004 National Archives Reveal Blair's Stance on Welsh and Scottish Devolution
Newly released minutes from the National Archives reveal that in 2004, Tony Blair stated that Wales and Scotland showed no appetite for further devolution, and that devolution had "lanced the boil" of separatism. Blair argued that Labour had successfully defeated the threat of UK breakup by delivering devolution to these nations.
During a cabinet discussion on 22 July 2004 regarding Welsh devolution, the Richard Commission's proposals for limited powers were considered. Peter Hain described the proposals as a minimalist solution, with no consensus for radical change. The cabinet note recorded Blair's summing-up: the government rejected the commission's more far-reaching proposals and found no appetite for a further referendum.
Blair had initially pledged a 60-member Welsh Assembly when Labour first came to power in 1997. The Assembly opened in 1999 and was due to take over about £7 billion of the budget previously managed by the UK Welsh secretary. Subsequent 2006 legislation allowed the Assembly to make laws in devolved areas with permission from both Houses of Parliament. In March 2011, Welsh voters approved direct assembly law-making powers in a referendum by 63.5% to 36.5%, with a turnout of 35.4%.
