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The Welsh Devolution Debate
16 September 1997
Blair Steps Up Campaign
The Prime Minister was in Wrexham and Deeside today for his second visit to Wales in four days. He received an enthusiastic welcome on the campaign trail and denied that there was widespread apathy over Thursday's referendum. He said that it was important to bring government closer to the people and to give them a better chance of having the right deal for jobs, schools, health and housing.
No Campaigners Criticise Cost of Assembly
In Cardiff the Just Say No campaign staged a campaign focussing on the cost of the proposed Welsh Assembly. A small demonstration of about thirty people marched from the Welsh Office to City Hall, the likely home of the Assembly. Still confident of a No vote they carried a blank cheque to symbolise what they see as the unknown cost of devolution. They pointed to the row over higher salaries for Cabinet ministers as an example of what would happen if an Assembly was set up.
Welsh Voters Undecided
The latest polls meanwhile suggest that up to a third of Welsh voters have yet to make up their minds how they will vote. A survey for HTV Wales released on Monday night gave a lead of 8% to the Yes campaign for a Welsh Assembly but found that 34% had not decided whether to vote for or against the establishment of an Assembly.
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