The National Assembly for Wales, Civil Society and Consultation

The National Assembly for Wales has been serious in its statutory commitment to involve voluntary groups in the decision-making process of state and has developed a number of sophisticated mechanisms by which civil society groups can link into policymaking, one of which is the consultation process. Drawing on original research this article investigates consultation from the perspective of those involved in a range of voluntary activities. Evidence offered here suggests that whilst many groups have engaged in the process of consultation, the experience is not uniform but patchy, with many groups left feeling frustrated rather than truly consulted.