Sometimes the extreme efforts to which Assembly Members will go to create a difference of opinion amongst themselves verges on the heroic. The shenanigans about next Tuesday's vote on whether to ask the UK Government to arrange for a referendum on transferring law making powers in currently devolved policy areas to the National Assembly for Wales is near to laughable.
Firstly, we've had weeks when Labour and Plaid have declined to say whether the vote will be a 'trigger' for the referendum request to be made. Well, since there would be nil point in holding it for any other reason, and the Plaid- Labour Coalition would be likely to collapse if it wasn't, this was a no-brainer. It was very kind of the BBC to bother to report on the question at all. And now we have reports questioning whether the vote will be passed. Its a bit like speculating on whether Usain Bolt or Mr Blobby would triumph over 100 metres. Still, its an important issue, and I suppose they have to find some angle.
Must admit that I don't quite understand the point of dispute. I do understand that the referendum should not be held on the same day as the Assembly Election in May 2011. I thought everyone was agreed on that, including the Electoral Commission. Even if it were to happen, it would be so cynical as to be self defeating. I most certainly would not want to have any part in such a election-warping exercise. What surprises me is that the date would be a matter for the Assembly. I would have expected it to be an issue that had to be settled before the referendum legislation is approved. Must check this out tomorrow - unless you constitutional experts who read my blog are kind enough to clear it up for me. What I do know is that there is no way the Liberal Democrats will let the trigger vote fail, and I will be desperately disappointed if the Conservatives vote against. I suspect a political stunt here somewhere. If I was still there it would take a very powerful three liner to bring me into line. Have no fear. Usain Bolt will beat Mr Blobby.
10 comments:
"Pseudo-tension" ... how about
some additional tension ...
Well, as per prediction, Iran has launched a package into Earth orbit – Iran has plans to put a platform into space using miniature UAV technology of the kind that can be carried easily on the back seat of a Honda Civic.
Iran would like to acquire ‘ready-made’ small nukes (small as in dimensions, not yield) from Pakistan via, e.g., terrorist affiliates working with elements inside Pakistan’s SIS.
Iran’s ballistic missiles now have the capability to reach anywhere on the planet. With small-nukes they will be able to threaten anywhere on the planet.
Can we wait for that moment?
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I think the point here is that this is the one point at which both our parties can force the issue about next May. At most other points once this vote is passed we will be subject to simple majority (L-PC) votes.
It therefore makes sense to ratchet up pressure on Labout at this point to force that concession out of them now once and for all
I remember you made quite a deal of saying there would be no referendum and saying you would own up if proved wrong. With the trigger vote happening next week can we expect a blog post admitting Plaid and Labour proved you wrong on this one Glyn?
is there a reason you won't respond Glyn? I thought you had pride in dealing with comments?
Simon - I refused your original comment because it sought to bring my family into my politics. I would be willing to explain what happened if you were to ask me to my face, and that I thought you genuinely wanted to know, rather than wanting to make some spiteful point. I'm reluctant to ever use my family in a political context. Its not their fault that I'm a politician. I would also refuse any comment that was about any other politician's family, and have done so.
Glyn i think you've made a mistake. I made no mention of your family? You have me mistaken for another commentator. I questioned why you didn't respond to my comment (which you did publish) regarding your views on how a referendum would never take place in view of how one now seems inevitable, mainly in view of some of the things you've said about iwwj being led astray in light of the fact he is apparently been vindicated.
Simon - Sorry. I did confuse you with another commenter. You make a fair point, but I do feel I have a reasonable defence. Both Labour and Plaid Cymru allowed the matter to drift for so long that it has probably become dependent on a Conservative Government to approve the referendum legislation. There has been no reason why it could not have been done and dusted under a Labour Government. Until a few weeks ago, (in my opinion, and often blogged) both Labour and Plaid Cymru incorrectly assumed that David Cameron would veto any referendum in his first year as Prime Minister, on the grounds that he will have such huge problems to deal with. I know that he surprised Ieuan Wyn Jones, and the rest of the Plaid Cymru leadership by his recent public commitment not to exercise a veto. The Plaid blogosphere were left with nowhere to go except claim that David Cameron would break his promise. It was only when Cameron agreed 'No Veto' that we all believed a referendum would actually take place. Its next to nothing to do with Ieuan Wyn Jones, who has procrastinated on this issue since 2007. He had nowhere left to hide.
thanks for the response glyn. I have to say i do not agree with the idea that iwj has had next to nothing to do with the fact a referendum will take place. I would go so far as to say it is only because of him and the plaid leadership that it will happen. We must agree to disagree there i guess
Simon - Its all gone now. See you on the campaign trail in the autumn.
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