 Under John Smith, Labour committed itself to devolution for both Wales and Scotland, a commitment that survived his early death.By 1997, when Welsh Labour captured 34 of Wales's 40 seats, wiping out the Conservatives' Welsh representation and polling 55 per cent, the stage was set for another devolution referendum, this time won by the narrowest of margins.Less than two years later, at the first elections to the new Welsh Assembly, Labour was again humbled in its heartlands by Plaid Cymru, losing such totemic seats as Islwyn, Llanelli and Rhondda (but nevertheless winning the largest number of seats).