Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

All the news broadcasters in Wales are doing their bit to celebrate or mark 10 years of devolution. The Senedd is buzzing with cameras and journalists. Now tell me why this doesn’t really happen more often? Perhaps politicians would have a better reputation if there was more coverage of work that we do every day that goes under the radar of no fault of our own, and more recently due to EU election rules – precisely regarding campaigns I have been  involved in – on IVF funding and the discrimination of those with HIV in Wales, where I could not do interviews for news…anyway, I digress….

The Assembly is celebrating next week on the 12th of May - the 10th anniversary of the first meeting. To show allegiance to the Assembly Commission, I think I’ll blog about my feelings on devolution in full at that point. Although I will share with you now the full version of that which was printed in the Western Mail yesterday by Martin Shipton on what various AMs opinions are on the achievements of the Assembly since its inception. The articleis a little misleading however- I don’t recall the email from Martin indicating that it was a poll of AMs in any way shape or form.  Nevertheless, here is what I said:

Achievements of devolution

The 10th anniversary of the establishment of our very own National Assembly – our first national legislature since the 15th century – is an opportunity to take stock but it also a cause for us to draw strength as we look forward.

Among the achievements of devolution I am most proud of, is the Assembly’s creation of the office of the Children’s Commissioner – the first nation in these islands to provide children and young people a champion and an advocate, and a move that has since been replicated elsewhere.

The real test for devolution has of course come in recent months as the crisis in the financial markets hits every community in Wales and the decisive action of Welsh ministers to help Welsh families has been in stark contrast to the approach of the Westminster Government. Jocelyn Davies’ launch of a mortgage rescue scheme to help people faced with losing their homes is an example of a pragmatic and effective policy to make a real difference to people’s lives.

And thirdly, I am proud of how our National Assembly has created a new kind of politics in Wales – democracy has been brought closer to the people, and our democracy is transparent and accessible in nature. One example of this principle working in practice is the establishment of the Assembly’s Petitions Committee – an immediate point of access for the public to raise issues of concern and a mechanism that can trigger new legislation based on the priorities of the people.

We must also not underestimate the significance of the advent of devolution itself. The very fact that we have our own National Assembly symbolises our maturity as a nation and the process of building a modern, just and inclusive country.

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Obviously it is important for us to mark 10 years of devolution, but really, the most effective action is for us to continue to perform our roles as any other day and look forward to the creation of a full legislative parliament for Wales.

On another note, I’m hoping to go to this event tonight if the debates in the chamber have finished in time, that is. Looks interesting - 

Public Lecture: Obama, the first 100 days Mark Rosenshield, Welsh Affairs Officer, US Embassy Political Section Wednesday 6 May 2009, 6pm.Rosenshield will talk about the impact the new administration is having and how this is affecting the US’s relationship with the rest of the world.