Text vote: New model for campaigning?

The Welsh public has been urged to show its support for greater devolution to the Cardiff assembly.

Former Wales secretary Ron Davies was on Tuesday launching a 'referendum' on whether the Cardiff assembly should have law-making powers.

Members of the public being asked to vote on the issue by text message.

Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood, who will be the first to vote, said: "The old men in Westminster have let us down, so it's good to see the next generation standing up for proper voice for Wales.

"We want the people of Wales to choose whether they have a parliament equal to Scotland's, not a handful of New Labour MPs."

The government has said that a referendum is unlikely to be held in the near future, calling for current devolution plans to be allowed to bed down before further extension of the assembly powers are considered.

Campaigners say the 'real referendum' push will engage the public more effectively than a "conventional and old fashioned 'walking to your village hall' affair".

The Welsh public is asked to say whether Wales should have its own law-making parliament by texting "Wales Yes" or "Wales No" to 83010.

The campaign is organised by Cymru, Plaid Cymru's youth movement, which has set-up the referendum through an independent company.