Referendum commitment as strong as ever
Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 3:04pm
7 responses
To all you ‘the referendum won’t happen’ commentators out there, I thought I’d show you this question that Helen Mary Jones asked in the Assembly on Tuesday. Rhodri Morgan said that the commitment to a referendum as set out in ‘One Wales’ is ‘as strong as ever’, and when pressed further about whether he expects to be able to hold the referendum before 2011, his response was positive. I won’t dignify quoting the response from Tory AM Paul Davies, who moaned about the current system not working, but at the same time thinks that it is premature to discuss the future of the Assembly at this point in time. This is obvious in that he, alike many other AMs, MPs and MEP’s have failed to reply to my letter concerning organising a meeting about the preparation for a yes vote in said referendum.
The campaign group ‘True Wales’ have mobilised already, and are actively undermining the All Wales Convention and its work. Why should those who believe in further powers for the National Assembly sit back and listen to the way that they choose to mislead the people of Wales? I went on a radio show about the first All Wales Convention meeting with a member of True Wales, and their arguments just don’t stack up. On the one hand they are saying that the Assembly does not communicate our message effectively, yet when I argued back that this was due to the mess of a system that currently stands, they could not defend their stance. I gather that they do not want the Assembly to be abolished, but then why do they want to sustain a system that is clearly unworkable, and which hinders our abilities to work, to communicate effectively with the Welsh public? We need only take the trials and tribulations surrounding the Housing LCO to show that the current system is patchy, taking aside the fact that it is definitely not my system to defend.
I’m hoping to organise a meeting of politicians who are interested in debating this matter in the next few months, while the All Wales Convention, and the future powers of the National Assembly are on the political agenda. In my mind, it is precisely because of the economic situation that we need more powers for this institution, so that we can carry out the work that we were elected to do smoothly and efficiently without going cap in hand to London at every juncture. The people of Wales deserve better.
Helen Mary Jones: Will the First Minister give an update on progress towards a referendum on full law-making powers under Part 4 of the Government of Wales Act 2006?
The First Minister: The All-Wales Convention will report to the Assembly Government on the referendum issue. It moved into its latest phase last week, with public events at the McArthur Glen out-of-town retail park and the Seaside Social and Labour Club in Port Talbot. It is designed to reach voters whose views can be difficult to attain. The overall commitment, as set out in ‘One Wales’, remains as strong as ever.
Helen Mary Jones: I would like to confirm the last bit of your answer. Subject to a positive outcome to the convention’s work, would you still expect to be able to meet the ‘One Wales’ commitment to hold a referendum before the election in 2011?
The First Minister: I would indeed.
True Wales want the Assembly abolished, you’re absolutely right. (I know one of them, and they have their sights firmly set on London, both politically and in terms of jobs for the boys).
You’re also right that True Wales are campaigning hard on this: they’re at the Convention roadshows, where are the pro-Devolution people? It’s about time the embargo was lifted, and AMs/MPs were allowed to go for it. (Wales First is mobilising, but without political figures it will only make a dent)
this is most encouraging news bethan, and is a huge kick in the teeth for all those who seem intent on deliberately talking down the prospect of a referendum on greater powers for the welsh assembly being held in 2011 (some of whom – not mentioning any names of course – who should know better!!!)
But your spot on about the true ‘nature’ of the right wing loony david davies’s so called ‘true wales’ group! These people are not just hostile to the referendum on more powers…..they are in reality opposed to the very existence of the assembly itself!
It is surely most revealing however that they are opposed to a referendum on more powers taking place in 2011, as if they were so confident of their case you would think they would be only to delighted to see a referendum taking place. That these died in the wool anti-devolutionists dont want a referendum shows they know they will lose.
As they know as well as we do that EVERY poll taken in the last decade has shown a majority of voters in wales in favour of ther assembly having greater powers! So the clear aim of ‘true wales’ in the first instance will be to try and prevent a referendum taking place at all costs!
But their ‘mobilisation’ coupled with rhodri morgan’s positive response to the question posed by helen mary are all the more reasons why a yes campign should be launched – to put the case for more powers – as soon as possible!
you say you want to mobilise the yes campaign
“while the All Wales Convention, and the future powers of the National Assembly are on the political agenda.”
they are not on the political agenda bethan,not remotely, they are just on your agenda. Everyone else is worrying about jobs and the economy.
In your role as AM for south wales west you might have thought today’s post would be about the threat to jobs at the corus plant in Port Talbot.
Of course not, Plaid dont pick up many votes there so why would you care about that?
apologies bethan as I see you posted this on friday…I am interested to hear what you have to say about the Port talbot situation though…what is your view on the way forward for heavy industry in south wales?
i would say to colin that one of the reasons why many of us want to see the assembly gain greater economic and law making powers is so that it can actually do something meaningful to aid the welsh economy and protect jobs here!
As things currently stand under the existing devolution ’settlement’ the assembly is virtually powerless to do anything significant over the devastating losses we are currently seeing at corus plants in wales!
Time and time again over the last 3 decades government’s in westminister have shown that their priorites are ensuring that unemployment stays low and that job opportunities remain high in the south east of england – where so many seats crucial to winning british general elections are to be found! Thus their economic policies are geared towards that end.
Even in the current crisis unemployment in the south east of england stands at just 4 percent while in places like wales and the north east of england it is reaching 7 and 8 percent and is still on the rise!
Hi !!
My name is Piter Kokoniz. Just want to tell, that your blog is really cool
And want to ask you: is this blog your hobby?
Sorry for my bad english:)
Thank you!
Piter.
Hi, well I write a blog in my role as an Assembly Member in the National Assembly for Wales. I also have a website http://www.bethanjenkins.org.uk if you want to see what I do also. Thanks for the comments.