91Èȱ¬

The final score was 53:0.

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM had guessed which way it would go and had his press release at the ready.

"This is an historic day in the journey that is devolution in Wales. It will now be up to the people of Wales, provided the Secretary of State for Wales agrees, to decide whether we move to the next phase of devolution."

The Secretary of State, Peter Hain ... just one minute behind the Presiding Officer and avoiding hyperbole.

"Carwyn and I have been working very closely together over the past two months to make progress on this issue. I fully support the First Minister's approach and now look forward to receiving his letter so I can begin the necessary preparatory work to take this forward. In the meantime, as Carwyn and I have said jointly, we both agree that the priority in the coming months will be the General Election, the outcome which will be so important for Wales. We must secure economic recovery for Wales, not choke it off with hasty cuts to Government spending.‬"

UPDATE

More responses.

From Conservative Cheryl Gillan: "If the request for a referendum is on my desk should I become Secretary of State for Wales, I will not stand in its way.

"Conservatives have said that we will let the people of Wales decide, but my real priority remains the economy, inward investment and getting Wales working."

From Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams: "We cannot underestimate the importance of what we have done today. This is the next step of devolution and we are ready to move on, across the political divide, together. While the General Election and issues such as the economy, our health service and schools must take precedence over procedural issues, this doesn't mean that the yes campaign cannot start getting organised so that we can be quick out of the blocks when the referendum is called".

And from Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones: "The unanimous cross party support for this referendum is a clear signal of the breadth of support for a referendum and strengthens the case for it substantially.

"We know that most people in Wales now believe that the Assembly is where most decisions that affect their daily lives should be taken. Most people in Wales also believe that it is right that the Assembly should have more tools to do the job more effectively. If it's alright for the Northern Ireland Assembly to have powers to make laws without having to get the consent of Westminster, then surely it's alright for us in Wales. After all, what could be more natural than allowing the Assembly to pass laws about Wales, here in Wales?"

And from John Bufton, UKIP MEP:

"With all the parties in Cardiff Bay voting together to give themselves more power UKIP are the only political party who believe more governance does not mean more democracy.

"On such an important issue it is vital the media stay impartial and present both sides of the argument fairly. The people should have Referendum because they deserve to have the choice. We don't need propaganda we need the facts, and that includes being told the real cost of devolution.

"More seats in the Assembly and additional powers just means we have even more laws affecting our everyday lives. No matter what the Yes campaign say, people must ask themselves will you really see the benefit of Politicians voting themselves more powers?"

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