Welsh Assembly Members have voted for a referendum on more law-making powers for the body.
On March 3 2011, voters will be asked: “Do you want the Assembly now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?”
The order will now be debated in both Houses of Parliament. Following this, the final stage in the process is the approval by Her Majesty in Council, expected in mid December.
The referendum process is set down in law and is overseen by the Electoral Commission to ensure that it is run fairly.
Once the order is made the referendum period will start. The first five weeks will be for organisations which register as campaigners with the Electoral Commission to apply to become the official ‘yes’ or ‘no’ campaign. This is followed by a two-week period for the Electoral Commission to decide which should be the designated organisation on each side.
The remaining period of a minimum of four weeks will be for the yes and no campaigns to complete their work.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “The vote is a major step towards making the referendum a reality and fulfilling our One Wales pledge to proceed to a referendum as soon as practicable.”
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “Our system of governance is still too complicated and cumbersome. If there is a yes vote in the referendum we will move towards a clearer and simpler and more effective legislative system. This vote by AMs takes us another important step closer to that.”