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Theresa May is using the Welsh devolution referendum (the outcome of which was delivered despite the fact the result was very close) to illustrate why Parliament should vote for her deal. But is that a good analogy? THREAD 
In 1997 Labour introduced the Referendums (Scotland & Wales) Bill for the advisory referendums which eventually led to the creation of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly (publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cm…). /1
The Tories hated the Bill. Here's then leader William Hague. He said: “referendums should be held, but that they should be held when the electorate are in the best possible position to judge. They should be held when people can view all the pros and cons.” /2
And he added for good measure: “Referendums are justifiable. They are a legitimate part of democratic decisions; but for them to be fair and compatible with the parliamentary process, we need the electors to be as well informed as possible.” /3
And he complained of referendums being conducted on the basis of general principles – before voters understood the detail. /4
And he took the Bill to task for using referendums to distort the parliamentary process and to bully a parliament that objected to the final proposal. /5
Voting with him were David Davis, Liam Fox, John Redwood, Bill Cash – and Theresa May. (api.parliament.uk/historic-hansa…) ENDS
Postscript: @stephenkb has also pointed out another major problem with the analogy.
And @StevePeers has done another demolition job.
