Devolution backed if not understood

A new survey has found that people in Wales are warming to devolution despite many of them not understanding what the national assembly does.

An Electoral Commission survey released on Thursday found growing public support for the assembly following the wafer-thin vote that created it in 1997.

The commission said it found many people wanted devolution extended further.

But with traditionally very low turnouts at assembly elections, it warns encouraging people to vote next May will be difficult.

About 80 per cent of registered 18 to 34-year-olds did not vote in 2003, it said.

Many who were surveyed said they knew little or nothing about assembly politics.

The survey found that 49 per cent could not name any of the assembly's responsibilities.

However 63 per cent said they had a great deal, quite a lot or some interest in its work, which includes running the NHS and education.

Despite a record low turnout of 38 per cent at the 2003 election, 54 per cent said devolution had improved the way Wales was governed and only 13 per cent thought it made things worse.

Next year's elections will arguably be the most important in the assembly's short life, with Cardiff Bay due to get enhanced law-making powers.