The 'just say no campaign' kicks off

BBC correspondent John Pienaar looks at the state of the 'No'campaign - Dur 4' 05"

The Welsh Anti-devolution Campaign is Launched

A "people's campaign" against a Welsh Assembly has been launched just 24 hours ahead of the Government's own White Paper on devolution.

Three Labour Party members, an ex-Conservative candidate and a Cardiff businessman appeared on a public platform to back the "Just Say No" movement. They claim support for the movement will spread throughout Wales by the time the referendum on the assembly is held in September.

Viscount Tonypandy fires warning

Its president, former Commons Speaker Viscount Tonypandy, was too frail to attend but sent a personal message urging the Welsh nation not to be "misled by this foolish proposal of a Welsh Assembly."

The 88-year-old peer said: "It will be far more in Welsh interests if we strengthen the Welsh Office and Welsh local government. "A Welsh Assembly will fan the flames of nationalism and that would do no good at all for jobs or the cultural life of Wales.

The organisation is chaired by Cardiff businessman Robert Hodge.

Mr Hodge is the son of Jersey-based multi-millionaire Welsh financier Sir Julian Hodge who is helping to fund the fight.

Robert Hodge, chairman of the 'No' campaign - Dur 4' 12"

Although Labour and other pro-devolution groups have been strongly campaigning for a "Yes" vote in the referendum on September 18, no concerted umbrella anti-devolutionist body has emerged until now.

Opinion polls in Wales suggest voters are split down the middle on the issue, although more favour a Welsh Assembly now than in 1979 when Labour's plans were overwhelmingly rejected by four-to-one.

Hodge: "David versus Goliath"

Robert Hodge forecast a high level of support throughout Wales although he admitted the campaign was not so well funded as the "Yes" campaign. "This is a people's movement against these proposals for a Welsh Assembly and rather like David versus Goliath. But right is on our side and if enough people join together we will win."

Teachers Say Yes to Assembly

The Union officials said an elected Assembly would be a first step to ensuring that the urgent needs of Welsh schools were addressed after nearly two decades of London-dominated education policies.

The Welsh Secretary, Ron Davies, will disclose the details of the White Paper to MPs in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, two days ahead of the proposals for a Scottish Parliament.

Hours after the Government's launch of the Welsh Assembly plans, a star-studded celebration will get under way in Cardiff Castle attended by Welsh celebrities, sportsmen and leading business people backing the pro-devolution campaign.

The Government has been defeated in the Lords on its Scottish devolution referendum plans. Their Lordships voted 149 to 132, backing a Conservative call to make the ballot paper question refer to "income tax" raising powers, not just tax raising.

Earlier this month the Lords supported another Tory plan to hold the Scottish and Welsh referenda on the same day. That reversal prompted the Government to renew its pledge to strip hereditary peers of their Parliamentary power.

The Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar, who has promised to overturn the earlier defeat, is now expected to ask the Commons to reverse the latest Lords vote as well.