Authors: Jones, Richard Wyn; Scully, Roger

Source: Contemporary Wales, Volume 21, Number 1, September 2008 , pp. 207-217(11)

Publisher: University of Wales Press

Abstract:

This paper assesses the contemporary state of party politics in Wales. Historically, party politics in Wales has been characterized by a remarkable degree of one-party dominance. A combination of lop-sided public preferences, and the exaggerating effect on these of highly disproportional electoral systems, have produced successive Liberal and then Labour party hegemonies. This situation now appears under some challenge. The political dynamics of devolution, including the introduction of a semi-proportional voting system for National Assembly elections, have contributed to a substantial decline in Labour's vote share in recent years. However, other factors, most notably the persisting weakness in Wales of Labour's opponents, suggest that one-party dominance may continue to endure.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2008-09-01

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