Campaigning Groups

Yes for Wales is the cross-party pro-devolution group. It was launched on February 10, 1997 to co-ordinate the campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the September referendum.

Its chair is Kevin Morgan, and it has a national office in Cardiff funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The national organiser is Daran Hill.

The organisation places great emphasis on grassroots involvement in the campaign and is establishing local branches throughout Wales. It is also setting up groups such as 'Teachers Say Yes', 'Pensioners Say Yes' and 'Women Say Yes'.

Its efforts in the run-up to the referendum will be directed at recruiting celebrities and winning over the local media. More direct campaigning, distribution of leaflets and canvassing door-to-door will begin in late August.

The Just Say No campaign in Wales was established by Betty Bowen and Carys Pugh, members of the Rhondda Constituency Labour Party. It is funded by 92 year-old Sir Julian Hodge, a Welshman who is estimated to have a fortune of £60 million and who lives as a tax exile in Jersey.

The campaign is run from Cardiff by Sir Julian's son, Robert Hodge. The former Speaker of the House of Commons and former Secretary of State for Wales in a Labour government (1968-70), Viscount Tonypandy, is also involved in the anti-devolution campaign from his seat in the Lords.