Editing 1997 Welsh devolution referendum (section)

{{short description|Pre-legislative referendum in Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox referendum
| name = 1997 Welsh devolution referendum
| title = Do you agree that there should be a Welsh Assembly as proposed by the Government?
| location = [[Wales]]
| outcome = The Government of Wales Act 1998 passes and the National Assembly for Wales is formed.
| previous_year = 1979 
| previous_referendum = 1979 Welsh devolution referendum
| next_year = 2011
| next_referendum = 2011 Welsh devolution referendum
| country = Wales
| date=  18 September 1997
| yes = 559419
| no = 552698
| total = 1116116
| electorate = 2222533
| map = Welsh devolution referendum, 1997.svg
| mapdivision = unitary authorities
| notes = Saturation of colour reflects the strength of the vote.
}} {{Politics of Wales}} {{UK Referendums}}
The '''1997 Welsh devolution referendum''' was a pre-legislative [[referendum]] held in [[Wales]] on 18 September 1997 over whether there was support for the creation of a [[Deliberative assembly|National Assembly]] for Wales, and therefore a degree of [[Self-governance|self-government]]. The referendum was a Labour manifesto commitment and was held in their first term after the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 election]] under the provisions of the [[Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Act 1997]]. This was the second referendum held in Wales over the question of devolution: the [[1979 Welsh devolution referendum|first referendum]] was held in 1979 and was defeated by a large majority.

The referendum resulted in a narrow majority in favour, which led to the passing of the [[Government of Wales Act 1998]] and the formation of the [[Senedd|National Assembly for Wales]] in 1999.