The ongoing floods in Pakistan could have been largely prevented, writes ABDUL RAHMAN
A tale of two referendums
On September 18, 1997 only 25 per cent of electors in Wales actually voted for the National Assembly, by a majority of less than 7,000 of the one million votes cast and the result was honoured by all the major political parties. ROBERT GRIFFITHS wonders why the EU referendum deserves less respect
PRIDE OF PLACE: The Welsh National Assembly building in Cardiff
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ON September 18, 1997, the people of Wales voted on whether they should have a National Assembly. The referendum was held following the election of a Labour government pledged to campaign for a “Yes” vote.
The result was the narrowest majority — by 50.3 per cent to 49.7 — in favour of establishing the National Assembly of Wales.
However, the turnout was only a tiny fraction above 50 per cent of the registered electorate. This meant that only 25 per cent of electors in Wales actually voted for the Assembly, by a majority of less than 7,000 of the one million votes cast.
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