An independent commission looking at Wales’ constitutional future has published an interim report saying that there are “significant problems with the way Wales is currently governed” within the UK.

The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, Co-chaired by Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Rowan Williams, has gathered evidence on how Wales is currently governed from over 2,000 Welsh citizens, expert groups and community-led organisations.

The Commission’s interim report highlights that the United Kingdom is virtually unique in not having a written constitution. The Commission details that an “unwritten constitution” takes for granted the “sovereignty” of Westminster, which adds significant constraints to people of Wales and their elected representatives to determine how they should be governed.

Professor Laura McAllister, co-chair of the Commission, said:

“The Union has been allowed to function without fixed checks and balances on power, and this has never been more evident than in the last three years with a UK Government that has a large majority and has been less willing to share power with other institutions.

“Our exploratory work over the last year has given us a sharp reminder that the lack of written constitution does not guarantee stability for Wales nor good governance.

“More than ever, it is clear that the challenges with the way Wales is governed can only be addressed by acknowledging the inter-dependence with wider constitutional issues in the UK. We’re very realistic that two of three constitutional routes we’ve outlined in this report are only achievable with a written constitution.”