Sunday, December 23, 2007

Pot starts to boil.

I've been predicting that the arrangements under the Government of Wales Act to transfer powers from Westminster to Cardiff Bay are likely to lead to what I've called 'turbulence' between the National Assembly and the UK Parliament. Today's report by Tomos Livingstone in the Western Mail suggests that this particular pot is starting to boil in a worrying manner. It was entirely predictable that Assembly Members would be keen to have new powers transferred as quickly as possible - and its equally predictable that MPs would want to scrutinise each proposed transfer of power in detail. Of course there's a certain amount of pointlessness in this scrutiny - because once the power is transferred a future Assembly Government will be able to do whatever it wants without any further involvement from Westminster.

The problem is that the two sides in these discussions have been given different versions of what the Act was going to mean. The view of Welsh MPs is a very long way from that of the Assembly's Presiding Officer, who seems to lose his temper when there are suggestions that the new Act is a 'dogs breakfast' - which it is. Its another example of chickens coming home to roost. My view remains that Assembly Ministers should be as open and informative as possible when they discuss LCOs (Legislative Competence Orders) with MPs. I know there is no requirement in the Act for this - but it would cost them nothing but time and would create trust and goodwill.

12 comments:

Dr. Christopher Wood said...

Well, you know my views on how incompetent the WAG is on even common sense matters. I want there to be an efficient working WAG, but we have one that claims big progress in education and the economy but when reliable statistics come forward we see that Wales is going backwards on both fronts.

Only yesterday I enquired about joining the "Wales Innovators Network‏" run by WAG. Guess what, despite the fact that I am Welsh through and through I am told I can't join - so all my expert knowledge on how Welsh innovators can easily file in the USA will remain - well, 'hidden', 'unavailable' c/o stupid idiotic WAG "rule".

I am a member of a similar organization in the USA and they/we have members from all over the world - some are based in, e.g., Taiwan; so if any member has questions on getting protection for their invention in Taiwan there is someone from Taiwan with expert knowledge. But we have members in maybe 50 countries; some are based in Ireland, Canada ... etc. etc. etc. No restriction on country of residence. But hey, WAG 'knows best', which probably explains why WAG is 'enjoying' a Welsh economy that is at the bottom of the league tables and remains reliant on hand-outs. So I remain ambivalent on WAG getting extra powers, I want them to have them, but I am pretty sure their lack of imagination and professionalism will mean Wales will end up cycling backwards on multiple fronts. It is so very frustrating seeing Wales so badly run by WAG.

Glyn Davies said...

Christopher - the point is that the new Government of Wales Act enables the Assembnly to aquire new powers (without any referendum) and consultation with the Welsh Affaits Committee is a protocol decided on be the Secretary of State, Peter Hain - and is not a rerquirement in the Act.

Dr. Christopher Wood said...

I understand, but eight years of WAG and we have 8 years of negligent leadership on two macro-fronts, economy and education. Given more powers what's to say that WAG will not carry on messing things up, but on multiple-macro-fronts. Yes WAG should have more powers, but WAG needs better leadership, a leadership that will actually take the common-sense steps to boost the private sector and thereby boost GVA stats.

Anonymous said...

WAG should most certainly NOT have any further powers so long as the Assembly continues to attract people of the low calibre it does at present.

Glyn Davies said...

anon - did ther chicken or the egg come first?

Anonymous said...

People who want to get on in the political world and have got real talent will always regard parliament as the pinnacle of achievement... won't they, Glyn?

Glyn Davies said...

anon - yes, in general you are correct. There is a majesty, a magnificece and history about Westminster that cannot be matched by the EU, Holyrood, or Cardiff Bay. But not always. It depends on the particular politician's objective. Probably my greatest political interest is how Wales is governed. I daresay that I would be better off just saying nothing about it - but the present position is fraught with danger for both Wales and the Union.

Dafydd Wigley, Dafydd Elis Thomas, Cynog Dafis, Ieuan Wyn Jones, Rhodri Morgan, Ron Davies and John Marek all chose Cardiff over Westminster.

Anonymous said...

No Tories there....

Glyn Davies said...

anon - Sorry to say that we didn't have any to make the choice!!

Anonymous said...

Yes, because most Tories think it's b*ll*cks!

Glyn Davies said...

anon - Open your imagination and cast your mind forward to a time when the Conservatives are campaigning for a stable British constitution based on the natural development of the 2006 Government of Wales Act

Anonymous said...

Have done. Still b*ll*cks.