(18 Sep 1997) English/Nat
The people of Wales are heading for the polls today - to vote on plans for a separate assembly.
The proposed Parliament is the latest step in plans to devolve power in the United Kingdom..
Last week, Scotland voted to introduce a separate parliament.
Sunrise over Cardiff... and the prospect of a new dawn for Wales.
If the people vote 'yes' today, they will have an assembly that will control millions of pounds in taxpayers money.
It will decide issues like education, housing and development - currently handled by a Welsh Office, which critics claim is too remote from the electorate.
Polling booths opened at 7 in the morning - with early voters giving indications of just how close run the contest is:
VOXPOP: (English)
"I voted 'yes' for an assembly.
Q. Why?
Because I believe that we should have an assembly for Wales, we should have more of a say"
The campaign for Welsh devolution has been lacklustre compared to the one staged in Scotland.
And opinion polls just a few hours before the vote suggested that as many as a third of people had still to make up their minds.
Others are fearful of the implications of a Welsh assembly.
VOXPOP: (English)
"I voted against it
Q. why?
Well I'm born and bred Welsh, but I don't speak Welsh and I just feel that the Welsh language is going to take over the whole of Cardiff especially.. and the younger generation, unless they speak Welsh are not going to have an opportunity"
The aim of bringing government 'closer to the people' was a central one in the election of Britain's Labour government in May.
For the Welsh Secretary, Ron Davies, much is riding on the vote.
He's been the head cheerleader for the 'yes' campaign...If the vote goes against him, his cabinet position may be at risk.
He is quick to dismiss claims that an assembly would be nothing more than an expensive talking shop.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There's a whole range of things that the assembly will be responsible for here in Wales. And frankly those people who say its powerless really don't understand the nature of the British constitution, or the nature of the powers which are devolved at the moment to Wales. You see the question is, these powers are devolved at the moment, they rest with me as Secretary of State. What we want to do is to make sure they are passed more directly to the people.
Q. Are you going to win.
Oh yes, I'm confident we're going to have a good turnout and I'm confident that we will have a very good result today"
SUPER CAPTION: Ron Davies, Welsh Secretary
The number of voters taking part in the process will be crucial to the success of the 'yes' campaign.
Either way, the result is expected in the early hours of Friday morning.
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