The Governance of Wales: The Welsh Office and the Policy Process 1964-99

Whilst political devolution did not occur until 1999, administrative devolution was created in Wales in 1964 with the establishment of the Welsh Office. This government ministry dominated political life in Wales and determined many aspects of government policy in Wales. The Welsh Secretaries in the shape of politicians such as Jim Griffiths, George Thomas, Nicholas Edwards, Peter Walker, David Hunt, John Redwood and William Hague shaped the political life of Wales through the strength of their own personalities and personal political agendas. Using interviews with many of the past Secretaries of State for Wales including Ron Davies and Alun Michael, this book provides the first comprehensive history of the former Welsh Office and the policy creation process. It is of interest to anyone who wishes to explore how the Welsh Office developed policy in Wales before the advent of the National Assembly. At the same time it enables the reader to view the characters and political agendas that have shaped the modern Welsh nation. This book will contribute to the growing interest in Welsh politics, providing an extensively researched background to one of Wales's most important post war institutions.