YESTERDAY the National Assembly of Wales ceased to exist, and instead has been reinstalled as Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament.  

For many people living in Wales, the Assembly has been a point of contention. Scotland has long had a fully fledged parliament while Wales was given an assembly, a word most often associated with a short service at the start of the school day. 

This change of name will allow citizens of Wales to be proud of our democratic structure as in some form we have greater equity and parity with devolution in Scotland.  

Particularly for those living outside of Wales, this change will champion the importance and distinction of the Welsh government, and will hopefully go some distance in helping everyone to fully appreciate the role, status and standing of the Welsh government.  

In many ways a name is purely symbolic, however the new name is also a reflection of the additional powers the Welsh Parliament has recently been granted, including tax-varying and law-making powers. 

Devolution has long been a strong embedded tradition in the labour movement. While Harold Wilson was prime minister the idea of devolving power to Scotland and Wales through national assemblies grew. 

This heritage of devolution continued when a Labour government finally abolished the Welsh Office and devolved its powers to a new assembly in 1999. 

There is now a real opportunity for Wales to break away from the politics of the Conservative government. 

Wales remains the only place in the United Kingdom where the Labour Party is not in opposition, but in government. 

Continuing on from the increased powers of the Senedd Cymru at the next Welsh Parliament elections 16 and 17-year-olds will have a vote. 

For the first time they will be allowed to have their say on the future of Wales and how it is to be governed. 

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds will also receive the vote for Welsh local elections. 

This is one of the great benefits of having a Welsh Parliament, empowering its citizens and amplifying their voice. 

Yesterday was a very important day in the history of Wales, but also the rest of the United Kingdom.