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# The Tryweryn Question
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/the-tryweryn-question/
- Published: 2007-10-04T11:10:49.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:37:38.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:31

**Jon Bright (London,** [**OK**](http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.net/?ref=opendemocracy.net)**):** Interesting spin on the West Lothian question over on [Seren](http://seren.blogspirit.com/?ref=opendemocracy.net):

Back in pre-devolution days, Liverpool Corporation's desire for water (mainly to supply industries that are now long gone) led it to Tryweryn, near Bala. An Act of Parliament was needed to permit the damming of the valley and the drowning of a Welsh community, Capel Celyn.

35 of the 36 Welsh MPs voted against the move but it was passed with the help of English MPs who knew nothing about the community they were voting to destroy.

Not surprisingly, the symbolic nature of the drowning of Capel Celyn in the 1960s still resonates among nationally minded people in Wales.

Never has the argument for devolution been so clearly summed up by one case. Seren argues for cutting the number of Welsh MPs and beefing up both the amount and powers of the AMs. Read the post in full [here](http://seren.blogspirit.com/archive/2007/10/04/west-lothian-and-the-tryweryn-question.html?ref=opendemocracy.net).