AMs to vote on referendum over law-making powers
AMs will today vote on whether there should be a referendum to give them more law-making powers.
The offer of a referendum on Scottish-style primary powers for the Assembly is a key part of the One Wales coalition deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru.
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AMs to vote on referendum over law-making powers
Triggering the process requires the support of 40 of the Assembly's 60 members - more than the combined votes of Labour and Plaid.
Ministers were last week seeking cross-party support for the move during talks with opposition leaders about possible timetables.
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats threatened to withhold their support, leaving ministers short of the two-thirds threshold needed by statute, if the referendum clashed with next May's Assembly election.
Both opposition parties came on board on Friday night after a week of negotiating.
First Minister Carwyn Jones is expected to use today's Senedd debate to acknowledge the practical difficulties of holding a referendum in spring 2011.
The date of a vote and the question put to voters is a matter for the UK Government, in consultation with the Electoral Commission.
Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan, chairman of the pro-devolution pressure group Tomorrow's Wales, welcomed the cross-party support behind the motion.
He said: "This means that AMs have put the needs of the people before party politics.
"It sets the scene for the consensus-building approach that can deliver a resounding Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum."
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by Wayne, Sandfields, Port Talbot
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 10:16AM
“John
You still don't understand how things work do you? The power to make laws on things e.g. one in your list is a well-known example fisheries, has been given to Brussels and all the assemly does is to administer the laws Brussels decides to pass. In other words the assembly does as it is told. Don't you remember the Factortame cases? They decided who has power over fisheries and that when a power is given to Brussels then it is Brussels who is in charge. The nation state is merely an adminstrator. Get a good book on constitutional law and another on EC law and you will learn something useful.”
by Wayne, Sandfields, Port Talbot
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 10:08AM
“John
First of all what has the empire to do with it?
There you go again with the old tactic of trying to associate someone with differing views with so-called right-wing parties in an effort to discredit them. Well, the truth is I don't care who opposes the assemly even existing whether it's BNP, UKIP or anybody else. I have my own views and don't care what parties agree with me or oppose me. I say what I believe to be right, and what I don't care what party or person happens to agree with me. I hope you now understand that because I couldn't make it any more clear than I just did
As far as my age goes I am not an old man, how about you? As anybody who knows me will tell you I am certainly not grumpy. Quite the opposite in fact. So apart from trying to paint a bad image of me why do you say that about somebody you don't even know?
You still don't understand what's going on do you? The main parties don't want Britain ruled from Westminster, they want us ruled from Brussels. Get a good book on European law there are quite a few about. Then you will learn the truth. It's quite easy to understand.”
by Linda, Neath
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 11:53PM
“John, Neath, I reiterate - I am not a member of any political party - I ask again - what are your colours - so I can put you into your box:) ? Thank you Wayne, Sandfields.”
by John, castell nedd
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 11:30PM
“dai evans, swansea i pay over £200/m council tax now. yes i can afford it”
by John, castell nedd
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 11:20PM
“Wayne morris list of powers devoled to wales, note not the EU
Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development
Ancient monuments and historic buildings
Culture
Economic development
Education and training
Environment
Fire and rescue
Food
Health
Highways and transport
Housing
Local government
Public administration
Social services
Sport and recreation
Tourism
Planning
Water and flood defence
Welsh language”