Huw Lewis AM has today questioned what the All Wales Convention can achieve, and has said that despite the fact that it is now taking place, many in his own party have questioned the need for it. Is this because you believe that we should by-pass the referendum system and have full law-making powers in Wales like they have in Scotland, Huw? Hardly... Unionists in Labour like Huw Lewis cannot stop themselves making negative statements when we are trying to ensure, through the One Wales Government, that this process is a success.
But Huw is currently putting forward legislation regarding the regulation of public transport in Wales, so this cannot put him in the devo-sceptic camp, I here you cry! However, when he states that Wales is potentially 'putting the cart before the horse" in seeking more powers, it only goes to show that the Unionist in him is alive and well.
Now remember, if it wasn't for the devo sceptics in the Labour party that they accommodated in the Government of Wales Act, we would never have had such a hotch potch, complicated, laughable system. The Richard Commisssion's recommendations could have been implemented without a second thought. But Richard isn't the reality we see before us, so we must move on as best we can from the situation we are in.
We want the powers to legislate for the people of Wales, to be made by the people of Wales, in Wales. We shouldn't have to justify why we want those powers, especially not at this stage in the devolution process. It is only natural that a country should want to govern itself, and to refrain from going cap in hand to a far removed London Government. Its high time the Unionists in Labour realised that they need devolution more than devolution needs them, and get on with the job of making it work.
Perhaps this is a Labour leadership attempt at underimining the One Wales government, but I'd rather they kept their misgivings to the internal workings of the Labour party, quite frankly. After all, there is an ongoing review of grassroots Labour party activity. I'm sure Huw Lewis and others could whip up some energy in those forums as opposed to parading their misgivings like this, and undermining the goverment that they are part of here at the National Assembly.
3 comments:
No point leaving a comment so just a polite notice, my comment is at
http://john-tylers.spaces.live.com/
I have told Hugh Lewis.
Regards
Bethan
This is a very disappointing analysis. I hope that it represents a politically expedient wilful misinterpretation of the Huw Lewis article (which I actually read in full) because if you genuinely think your tired "Unionist Labour" rant is backed by any evidence in this piece, then I question whether you have the analytical skills required to sit as an AM.
In the article Lewis argues that the Convention is an unprecedented opportunity for people to engage with politics and the Assembly in particular. And whilst he says that he has some sympathy with those that question the timing of the Convention, he concludes by stating that popular support for further devolution will only be won on the basis of positive proposals which show how a Welsh Parliament (or similar) would make Wales a better place, and popular support - won on this basis - would be a fine thing.
On this point - to be fair - you do at least show your own pro-independence credentials very honestly in your retort, by saying "We shouldn't have to justify why we want those powers, especially not at this stage in the devolution process." Frankly, that's one of scariest sentences from a (kind of) democratically elected politician I've ever read - but I do admire the honesty. If you think a politician should primarily be chasing power, not pursuing good social policy, well then good luck.
Maybe you should also try telling Huw Lewis.
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