In his address to the Trades Union Congress in Brighton September 9, Blair projected devolution as part of the drive to "modernize" the institutions of the state. "Decentralizing power is an idea whose time has come," Blair said. "Democracy has matured... Let Scotland not be presented with a choice between separatism and no change. There is a better modern way."

He added, "Wales too deserves a strong voice of its own within the United Kingdom - the chance to take its own decisions over schools, hospitals and other services." The referendum in Wales is scheduled for September 18. A positive vote would lead to the establishment of an elected assembly, without law-making or tax-raising powers, as is intended in Scotland, but which would essentially legislate rules and regulations for the implementation of laws passed in Westminster, and advise on proposals to be put to the UK parliament.

Thatcher's intervention into the debate, in which she said the proposals were a "negation" of shared history and would awaken a "resentful English nationalism," had been actively discouraged by "No" campaigners. The general hatred of Thatcher in Scotland, as the person who introduced the Poll Tax and cuts in social spending, is so great that her visit was seen as a boost for the "Yes," rather than the "No" campaign.

Explaining the widespread support for a Scottish parliament, retired shipyard worker Jim Morgan told the BBC radio September 10, "People have become restless and want to see change."

Tam Dalyell is the only Labour MP openly opposing devolution. According to a report in the Financial Times, "Mr. Dalyell's principle message was that the Scottish parliament would raise expectations in fields such as health and education that could not be fulfilled."

Marcella FitzGerald, a leader of the Communist League, said the CL "has called for a vote in favor of a Scottish parliament, although not in favor of granting it the right to tax workers even more, and for an assembly in Wales." The league is "in full support of Scotland's fight for independence," she explained. "Working-class unity in the fight to do away with the injustice, inequality, and daily brutalities of capitalist society, and forge a new one built on real human values, can only be strengthened through the self-determination of all oppressed nationalities and the break-up of the institutions of the imperialist state."

Polls indicate a narrow margin in favor of devolution in Wales, a substantial turnaround from the last referendum in 1979, when a similar proposal was defeated by four to one. In Scotland, polls are showing a much wider majority in favor of the creation of a Scottish parliament, but a much closer vote is likely on the right of the parliament to vary the basic rate of tax by as much as 3 percent.  
 
 
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