Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

Sorry that I’ve been away for a while. I really don’t want to blog just for the sake of it, so I haven’t. So much has happened in the news its hard to know where to start the debate- from the credit crunch, to Charles Clarke’s comments on Brown, to Sarah Palin’s nomination as a running mate for John McCain in the US elections, to David Davies MPs comments on devolution…

I haven’t read any of the blogs on Davies’ cries that more powers for Wales would mean Soviet style poverty ( so we were all nice and rich under Tory rule then were we David?!) Shock horror, the Lib dems have reacted by seemingly pushing the blame for this outburst on Plaid and Labour for not initiating a Yes campaign yet. Petty, very petty. I’ve said on this blog before that I’m more than willing to start such a campaign, so Peter and Jenny, when shall we have the first planning meeting? There’s nothing stopping you being pro-active as opposed to trying to lay the blame on the governing parties. The convention is of course at work, but I see no reason why a grassroots yes campaign cannot be formed. It won’t be a Plaid Cymru or a Labour campaign, or a Lib dem campaign, therefore I see no reason to place such responsibility on individual political parties.

Its no surprise to me that David Davies has come out all guns blazing regarding devolution. He has to get press coverage somehow, doesn’t he?  But he may just be preparing the ground for when Lord Roberts’ review of Tory party opinion on the future powers of the National Assembly is released..imminently. Rumour has it that its a bit of a whitewash. Poor Nick Bourne! What will he do if he cannot carry his own party to his dream for a Welsh Parliament? Or will he be more laid back- let David Davies lead the no campaign, and hope that nobody else will follow suit?! Time will tell.

 One thing is certain, we are committed to delivering a referendum as part of the One Wales government. If Labour have any intention of ruining it, then they can certainly say goodbye to any possibility of a One Wales 2.