Labour to hold consultation on Assembly referendum

LABOUR said today politicians, party members and trade unions would be consulted after the general election on a proposed referendum to increase the Assembly's law-making powers.

It follows a major report last week which said a referendum should be held and that a "yes" vote on primary law-making powers was obtainable.

The report, by the All Wales Convention, criticised the Assembly's current law-making system as "cumbersome", but added that the outcome of a referendum could not be guaranteed.

Ministers set up the convention to probe the public's mood towards devolution after they pledged to hold a referendum on or before the 2011 Assembly election.

The proposal is a key part of the One Wales coalition deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru.

In a joint statement, Welsh Labour leaders said: "Because a 'no' vote in a referendum could set back devolution for several decades, triggering the referendum process needs to be based on a firm prospect that public opinion is ready to respond positively in the referendum."

It said the party's internal policy process had begun, adding: "Welsh Labour's Welsh Joint Policy Committee has met, prioritised the need to campaign for a general election victory, and agreed to start considering the All Wales Convention report in detail as a prelude to stepping up wider party consultation with AMs and MPs, councillors, trade unionists and members as soon as the general election is over."