Twenty Years On.

So it was Twenty Years ago that narrowly voted for the establishment of the Welsh Assembly you can lift your hearts by watching the movement again.

I say "Lift your hearts" because  you may be like me were expected major changes in Wales both politically and economically which have not materalised.

A combination  of  lack of real powers  and constant Labour Government  has not led to changes in Wales in the same way Scotland has been propelled forward .

Has it won the hearts and minds  of the People of Wales?

Not  Quite.  Findings from Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre and Published in the Wasting Mule.

If the referendum on establishing the Assembly was held tomorrow, only 27% would vote against establishing it. Nearly half (47%) would support its creation, while 18% did not know how they would vote and 8% would not take part in the referendum.

Only 6% of people polled wanted independence.

Only 30% of people said the UK Government should be mainly responsible for decisions to do with education, and just 33% wanted Westminster to be in control of the NHS.

Income tax powers have been transferred to the Welsh Government but 55% of respondents said this should be mainly the responsibility for the London-based Parliament and Government. People were split on criminal justice and policing with 42% wanting AMs in the driving seat and 43% backing MPs keeping responsibility.

The researchers found a “surprisingly strong correlation between a how much devolution people want and how much they believe has actually been delivered”.

If the referendum on establishing the Assembly was held tomorrow, only 27% would vote against establishing it. Nearly half (47%) would support its creation, while 18% did not know how they would vote and 8% would not take part in the referendum.

Only 6% of people polled wanted independence.

Only 30% of people said the UK Government should be mainly responsible for decisions to do with education, and just 33% wanted Westminster to be in control of the NHS.

Income tax powers have been transferred to the Welsh Government but 55% of respondents said this should be mainly the responsibility for the London-based Parliament and Government. People were split on criminal justice and policing with 42% wanting AMs in the driving seat and 43% backing MPs keeping responsibility.

So we can still hope for the future of the Assembly but unless we see Parties with Vision for its own future as well as Wales then it is potentially bleak.

With Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns MP telling BristolNews that reducing the Severn tolls in January has potential to bind Bristol and Wales economy together and Labour's Ken Skates seeking to join North Wales to a English Northern Powerhouse it looks like the Unionist Parties are seeking not to develop a "Welsh" Economic structure in which we seek solutions by uniting the Nation but indeed dividing Wales into two regions of England.

The idea the South Wales should seek the approval not only of Westminster  but Bristol and North Wales Liverpool will lead to what seems to a total planned absorption  into England.

Is that what Welsh Unionist Politicians want ?

Certainly Labour's lethargic 20 years of running the Welsh Assembly could lead a conspiracy theorist would not be blamed for thinking this.

Unless there is a major change in thinking then 20 years from now Wales will not exist as a Nation .

We need to demand  "Parity with Scotland" immediately  and intensify the argument that the True future of Wales is in Independence.