Pollsters asked about the way the devolved parliaments in Scotland and Wales worked with Westminster
Just over a third of Welsh people think devolution has been a good thing, according to polling released today. However, that 36% figure in Wales is higher than the 16% who believe the Westminster-based government has been a good thing for the nation.
The polling was conducted by More in Common on behalf of PolicyWISE between January 30 and February 10 with 806 people polled in Wales.
It asked questions about the way the devolved parliaments in Scotland and Wales worked with Westminster and almost all those polled said they wanted stronger cooperation between their governments and Westminster.
The polling found 95% of the public in Scotland and Wales wanted that.
Just 20% of people in Wales felt their devolved governments and Westminster worked well together. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
This compared to the 68% in Wales who felt that their devolved governments and Westminster did not work well together now.
When Labour was elected into Government at a UK level in 2024, it promised a “partnership in power” between London and Cardiff.
In both countries, the public would prefer that the devolved government worked “much more closely” with the UK government on its top policy priority rather than “standing firm against the UK government”. Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
In Wales, 42% want closer working between the two administrations.
In both countries, Westminster is frequently perceived as acting “mainly as a government for England” (Scotland 43%, Wales 42%). Many, especially in Wales (52%), think Westminster is unclear when decisions affect only England.
When asked which two reserved issues (i.e. Westminster responsibility) required the UK Government to work most closely with the devolved governments, these were the answers for Wales:
Immigration: 37%
Energy policy: 31%
Trade: 25%
Relations with the EU: 24%
When asked which three issues the respective new devolved governments should focus on post elections, both nations identified the cost-of-living, supporting the NHS, and immigration.
When it comes to how the Welsh First Minister should approach the UK Government, 30% of respondents said they wanted Eluned Morgan to work constructively with Westminster – even if that meant compromise.



