Thursday, November 06, 2008
Row intensifies
BBC Wales' Political Editor, Betsan Powys has just been on Dragon's Eye to report on developments with the Welsh Assembly Government's Affordable Housing LCO.
In essence the Assembly Government asked for the power to suspend the right to buy, but the order they submitted went further than that and also gives them the power to abolish it in Wales if they wish. The Welsh Affairs Committee established that the Deputy Housing Minister had no intention of going so far so they recommended that the order be curtailed. The result was an almighty row between AMs and MPs, led very ably by the Presiding Officer.
Now it transpires that the Wales Office are going to come down on the side of the MPs. Betsan reported that Wales Office Minister, Wayne David said at a Conference in Cardiff today that the LCO was seriously flawed. He gave the clearest indication yet that the Assembly Government may be asked to think again.
As I said before this is a process issue but it is a very important one because it demonstrates more clearly than I can how the present system is not fit for purpose and that MPs are intent on dictating the Assembly's agenda from Westminster. Labour may be comfortable with that but surely Plaid Cymru cannot be.
How will the One Wales Government and the Plaid Cymru Deputy Minister react to such a humiliating clipping of their wings? We must wait to see.
In essence the Assembly Government asked for the power to suspend the right to buy, but the order they submitted went further than that and also gives them the power to abolish it in Wales if they wish. The Welsh Affairs Committee established that the Deputy Housing Minister had no intention of going so far so they recommended that the order be curtailed. The result was an almighty row between AMs and MPs, led very ably by the Presiding Officer.
Now it transpires that the Wales Office are going to come down on the side of the MPs. Betsan reported that Wales Office Minister, Wayne David said at a Conference in Cardiff today that the LCO was seriously flawed. He gave the clearest indication yet that the Assembly Government may be asked to think again.
As I said before this is a process issue but it is a very important one because it demonstrates more clearly than I can how the present system is not fit for purpose and that MPs are intent on dictating the Assembly's agenda from Westminster. Labour may be comfortable with that but surely Plaid Cymru cannot be.
How will the One Wales Government and the Plaid Cymru Deputy Minister react to such a humiliating clipping of their wings? We must wait to see.
Comments:
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This is what is sometimes infuriating about your politics Peter. You are clearly in agreement with Plaid about the failings of the current LCO system. Yet instead of working constructivly with them on this you have opted to try and put a political spin on it. Its a shame and yet proves why working with the Lib Dems would have been very difficult in a rainbow coalition.
# posted by 
: 10:30 AM
: 10:30 AM
Absolutely not. We are working constructively to try and make the LCO system work, that is why we are submitting private member proposals and making ourselves available for LCO meetings that Labour and other parties complain about. That does not stop us complaining about it and seeking to change it. If Plaid have ceased to do that then they have really sold out.
As for working with us, I think you would find we would be far easier to work with than Labour.
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As for working with us, I think you would find we would be far easier to work with than Labour.
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