In April 1988 during the committee stages of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly Bills, an amendment was tabled by rebel Labour MPs, and supported by Conservatives and Liberals. It stated that there must be referendums in Scotland and Wales to decide if there was majority support in those nations for a parliament or assembly. The amendment was passed by 38 votes.
The referendums took place on Thursday 22 September 1988. In Scotland the vote was 56,7% to 43.3% in favour of a Scottish Parliament. In Wales the vote was 69.2% to 30.8% against a Welsh Assembly.
The Kensington by-election caused by the death of Brandon Rhys-Williams (Conservative) was held on 18 May 1988. There was speculation that Malcolm Rifkind, the former Secretary of State for Scotland, who had lost his Edinburgh Pentlands seat in the general election, would apply to be selected as the Conservative candidate. However he did not because the Conservative majority in the general election was only 1.1% over Labour, and he wanted to wait until a safe seat became vacant. Dudley Fishburn was chosen as the Conservative candidate (as he was in OTL) and was elected by a majority of 2.8% over Labour.
The referendums took place on Thursday 22 September 1988. In Scotland the vote was 56,7% to 43.3% in favour of a Scottish Parliament. In Wales the vote was 69.2% to 30.8% against a Welsh Assembly.
The Kensington by-election caused by the death of Brandon Rhys-Williams (Conservative) was held on 18 May 1988. There was speculation that Malcolm Rifkind, the former Secretary of State for Scotland, who had lost his Edinburgh Pentlands seat in the general election, would apply to be selected as the Conservative candidate. However he did not because the Conservative majority in the general election was only 1.1% over Labour, and he wanted to wait until a safe seat became vacant. Dudley Fishburn was chosen as the Conservative candidate (as he was in OTL) and was elected by a majority of 2.8% over Labour.