As we continue to veer all ways on the journey towards stable government in Wales it is worth reflecting on some words spoken by the First Minister yesterday. He issued what the South Wales Echo described as a veiled threat to any potential rainbow coalition when he told journalists that Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats would struggle to get Welsh laws passed in such an arrangement.
A spokesman for Plaid Cymru put his finger on the issue at stake when he said: “It would be preposterous for any Labour government in Wales to block any legislation passed by a democratically elected National Assembly. It would fly in the face of democracy.” However it seems that the fact that Labour can deliver in Westminster was a deciding factor in Plaid Cymru's decision to re-open negotiations with them last night.
In many ways this incident underlines the main criticisms of the Government of WAles Act. Not only does it turn the Secretary of State into an effective Viceroy of Wales, but it also puts the National Assembly in the position of going cap-in-hand to Westminister for the powers needed to implement manifesto pledges and gives MPs an effective veto over matters that should be devolved to us, irrespective of the mandate associated with them.
The fact that the First Minister can use that deliberate design flaw as a bargaining tool is, I suppose, realpolitik but it is not a comfortable reality nor is it a very principled one.
Welsh Liberal Democrats Councillor for Cwmbwrla Ward, City and County of Swansea - Please buy my novels at Author Page
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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
5 comments:
I am happy to address most contributions, even the drunken ones if they are coherent, but I am not going to engage with negative sniping from those who do not have the guts to add their names or a consistent on-line identity to their comments. Such postings will not be published.
Anonymous comments with a constructive contribution to make to the discussion, even if it is critical will continue to be posted. Libellous comments or remarks I think may be libellous will not be published.
I will also not tolerate personation so please do not add comments in the name of real people unless you are that person. If you do not like these rules then start your own blog.
Oh, and if you persist in repeating yourself despite the fact I have addressed your point I may get bored and reject your comment.
The views expressed in comments are those of the poster, not me.
You know very well he was talking about Westminster legislation.
ReplyDeleteHe was talking about Legislative Competence Orders, which have to be passed at Westminster so that the Assembly can draw down powers. These powers are needed to implement manifesto promises. I dispute your claim that I have misrepresented the FM here. I think I have got him bang to rights.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWell remembered Silurian.
ReplyDeleteI was referring to the referendum for the following reasons:
1. You need 2/3rds AMs (impossible without Labour)
2. You need a majority of MPs and Lords (impossible without Labour)
3. You need to win the campaign (impossible without Labour)
So one can only conclude that Plaid's real choice is First Minister or a Parliament. Rhodri is just being realistic and I think at last Plaid are too.
Patriot.
ReplyDeleteSounds like blackmail to me. Personally speaking I would prefer a minority Labour government.