Constitutional change has not played a major parts leading up to tomorrow Welsh Leanne Wood Assembly Elections but at least Plaid Leader Leanne Wood has said that if Plaid wins power in Thursday's election ministers could call a public vote if the UK government refused to negotiate on devolution.
I am not sure whether Plaid are proposing a Referendum calling for these powers rather than endorsing them.
Off course Labour's response was typical
We must remember that Scotlands remaining steel works were saved after the Scottish Government bought the endangered plant from Tata steel in order to sell it on.
The government then sold the works and staff to Liberty House, an international steel firm, which has pledged to invest in the Scottish and UK steel industries. Not all of the 270 staff employed at the plants in Cambuslang and Motherwell will be immediately re-employed, though Liberty has said it will increase the workforce to former levels over time.
Plaid wants new powers that include policing, income taxes and reforms to the way the Welsh government is funded.
UK ministers' have delayed their further devolution proposals until the summer, after criticism of the plans.
In February, the previous Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb promised "significant changes" to the draft Wales Bill, after claims it was confusing and would leave Welsh ministers with fewer powers.
Plaid Cymru's manifesto states that within days of winning power its ministers would begin urgent talks with the UK government seeking "immediate progress" on implementing constitutional changes.
"We have a whole raft of things that are yet to be implemented that have got cross-party agreement.
"If people vote for a Plaid Cymru government next Thursday than they will be voting for a mandate for us to implement all of those policies and recommendations, from the Silk Commission and so on, that have already been agreed cross-party.
"The point is that if the UK government refused to consider to negotiate with us - we've got an unwritten constitution [and] all constitutional changes are done by negotiation.
"And we reserve the right to hold a referendum on the principle of making sure that we get the powers we need in this country."
Plaid's manifesto says independence "remains our long-term aspiration" but it can only be achieved "stage by stage".
I am not sure whether Plaid are proposing a Referendum calling for these powers rather than endorsing them.
Off course Labour's response was typical
Owen Smith @OwenSmith_MP 12h12 hours agoExcept of course Labours so called "fight for steel jobs has been pathetic" and reflects not on onlu the limited powers of the First Minister Carwyn Jones and Labour but the lack of ambition to even try to exercise those we have.
Great response 4 @MickAntoniw1 and Labour's fight for steel jobs - while Plaid blather on about the constitution...
We must remember that Scotlands remaining steel works were saved after the Scottish Government bought the endangered plant from Tata steel in order to sell it on.
The government then sold the works and staff to Liberty House, an international steel firm, which has pledged to invest in the Scottish and UK steel industries. Not all of the 270 staff employed at the plants in Cambuslang and Motherwell will be immediately re-employed, though Liberty has said it will increase the workforce to former levels over time.
Would parity of powers with Scotland have helped in the fight to save Steel making in Wales?
It might at least seen s with a First Minister of the calibre of Nicola Sturgeon, who is seen to have political clout. Rather than one who is regarded as having no influence beyond Wales and very little init
While in office as Minister of Natural Resources from 1961 to 1965. Rene Leveque I the future under of Pari Quebecois played an pivotal role in the nationalisation of hydroelectric companies, greatly expanding Hydro-Québec, one of the reforms that was part of the Quiet Revolution.
60 years later we have neither the power or finances to match ven a small part of this.
Tony Blair once likened a future Scottish Parliament to a English parish council.
Its time he and those who are happy to see an emancipated Welsh Assembly powerless to act Tata Steel and much more.
2 comments:
No surprise at the response of Owen Smith and the Welsh Labour branch to Leanne Wood's call for real powers for the Assembly.
Faced with the latest crisis in the steel industry, all Carwyn can do is run around with a sticky plaster trying to stop the hemorrhaging of more jobs from Wales.
What's needed is a rapid response team, fully equipped to deal with a major crisis. To put it another way, Wales needs an Assembly with real powers.
However, Owen Smith and his ilk in Welsh Labour are quite content to see the Tories punish the working class people of Wales, so long as it doesn't threaten their Westminster dream.
To the likes of Owen Smith and Carwyn Jones, real power for the Assembly is something to be dismissed or to be made light of and used to score cheap political points.
Alas Smith and Jones, unfortunately for Wales you're bigger comedians than your namesakes Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones.
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