Conflicts in representing the regions in Brussels: The case of Wales

Regional representative offices in Brussels are today commonplace, and their number continues to grow. However, these offices vary in the scope and remit of their activities, with their function dictated by their end users, the home or sending authorities. In Wales, the shifting nature of regional governance has demanded a restructuring of the capacities for the representation of Welsh interests at the European Union level. A long and often contentious process of trial and error ultimately saw Welsh forms of interest mediation in the European Union post-devolution converge on a model established by Scottish actors in Brussels. This points to an emerging pattern of European Union-level engagement subsequent to the introduction of regional government.