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One Wales? The Geography of Participation and Voting in the 2011 Welsh Referendum

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This article examines the geography of participation and voting behaviour in the 2011 Welsh devolution referendum. We show that turnout levels, while relatively low everywhere, varied significantly across Wales. Such variation was mainly in line with standard socio-economic predictors of voting turnout; however, turn- out was also correlated with factors, such as the strength of the Welsh language in a locale, associated with variance in participation in specifically Welsh polls. We also find that, notwithstanding the clear Yes victory in 2011, voting patterns in this referendum were very highly correlated with those in 1997. However, the modest differences between the two votes were all in the direction of greater geographical homogeneity. The 2011 referendum result indicates that Wales has become somewhat more united on devolution, but significant differences persist.

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 August 2012

More about this publication?
  • Contemporary Wales is at the forefront of research into economic, political and social sciences relating to Wales. It contains both academic and practitioner-based articles, annual economic and legal reviews, and book reviews. Its interdisciplinary content drawing on current research on Wales makes the journal essential reading for students and researchers across a range of subject areas, including political and social policy, history, law, media and languages. Contemporary Wales has published articles in English and in Welsh.

    Mae Contemporary Wales wedi’i gyhoeddi’n gan Wasg Prifysgol Cymru fel llwyfan ar gyfer ymchwil blaengar ar Gymru o safbwynt y gwyddorau economaidd, gwleidyddol a chymdeithasol. Mae'n cynnwys cyfuniad o erthyglau gan academyddion ac ymarferwyr, adolygiadau economaidd a chyfreithiol blynyddol, ac adolygiadau o gyhoeddiadau yn y maes. Mae natur rhyngddisgyblaethol y cynnwys sy'n seliedig ar yr ymchwil diweddaraf yn golygu bod y cyfnodolyn yn hanfodol i wleidyddion, gwneuthurwyr polisi, y cyfryngau, gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, llywodraeth leol yn ogystal â fyfyrwyr ac ymchwilwyr mewn ystod eang o feysydd gan gynnwys polisi gwleidyddol a chymdeithasol, hanes, y gyfraith, y cyfryngau a ieithoedd. Mae Contemporary Wales wedi cyhoeddi erthyglau yn y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg.

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