Up until 2003, when centralization took place on a large scale, Seven was ruled by a State Council elected according to the regulations laid down by the Basic State Law, first written by Samuel Sawyer around 1920. The abolishment of state legislatures was accepted, though with some demur, up until 2011, when a large number of politicians began to call for more autonomy to the states. Although this had been suggested before, the possibility for the first time looked as if it would become a reality. Former Prime Minister Marcus Villanova proposed a constitutional amendment which would change the situation, but a set-back occurred when it received heavy criticism, including from pro-federalism politicians, and eventually achieved only 33 votes, less than half the number needed to pass.