Carwyn: Second (Or Third) Best Is Fine For Wales

Carwyn Jones' speech to the party faithful at the "Welsh" Labour Conference in Llandudno was extraordinary .

His argument seemed  at first to call for more powers for the Assembly because there was A Con Libdem government  at Westminster.

He said :

“Today, we continue on the path of devolution. We need to see the first part of the Silk Commission’s work implemented, so that Welsh Labour has the tools to do the job on behalf of our people. We’ll await now the results of Part two of Silk – but I have to tell you conference, devolution can’t sit still. The present settlement is unclear and needs to be changed.”

Carwyn Jones Llandudno March 2013

So far so good 

He continued:

“Is it right that a Tory Government at a whim, should be able to abolish the Assembly without a vote if they so wanted?  Is it right that a Tory Secretary of State can prevent an Assembly Bill from becoming law?  Is it right that alone amongst the people of Britain, the people of Wales don’t have the right level of control over energy and water?  Conference – there are some things that can be devolved easily. There are others that cannot.

Why just a Tory Secretary of State? Doesn't this equally apply to a Labour one . 

Why  always take the easy option ?

Speaking of the Moon Race President John F. Kennedyin 1962  ( Whatever you think of him ) got it right. When he said

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and to do these other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win." -- 

We know Carwyn, likes it easy but now is the time do the hard things . 

Carwyn , then ruins his argument:

“We don’t believe in independence because we know – and most people agree – that it would be bad for Wales.  It’s because of our proud Welshness that we oppose independence.  We know that what’s important is the ability to recognise what’s bad for your nation. That’s what sets us apart.
“Conference, I don’t believe that the powers of the National Assembly should be exactly the same as Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Their histories are different to ours.  But Conference, I will never accept that Wales is inferior to Scotland and Northern Ireland – which is what the present UK Government are saying.
“Let me be clear. Wales is not a second class Scotland. Welsh Labour is not more lowly than the SNP, the DUP or Sinn Fein. Devolution must develop and the people of Wales deserve the same respect as those of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“We stand for a strong Wales, as part of a strong UK. That’s what our people believe in, and that’s where we, as a Party stand too

Here he sounds like a Rugby Coach  that the Challenge Cup is better for his team than the Heineken Cup or its a his Soccer alternative claiming that playing in the Europa league suits him fine and he doesn't want to play in the Champions League.

In fact Carwyn's ambition is worse as he seems happy not to qualify for the second tier  that Scotland have with a parliament let alone independence.

"Welsh Labour is not more lowly than the SNP, the DUP or Sinn Fein".!!!

They are not even in the same league.

Perhaps Carwyn in his Devolution is better bet that independence will consider holding  a National Holiday  every  September 19th  to celebrate the 1997 referendum.

But what Nation celebrate s Devolution Day.?