"My Assembly Government will…." Lib Dems call for Welsh "Queen's Speech"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Sep 2004

The new Assembly term should be marked with a "Queen's Speech" for Wales, according to proposals by the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

The party has challenged Rhodri Morgan to deliver an annual address that would set out a strategic programme for government in Wales. The Scottish First Minister addressed Holyrood last week with his government's Legislative Programme for the coming year, and the Queen will unveil the UK Government's plans at the State Opening of Parliament on the 23rd of November.

"This Labour Administration's way of governing Wales has been striking in its lack of coherence and foresight. Rhodri Morgan and his business minister drift from one week to the next, with motions and debates cancelled at the last minute and other announcements - such as the abolition of the Quangos - seemingly made-up on the hoof.

"A Queen's Speech-style statement of government intentions would give the administration and Assembly a clear focus. It would also set out for the people of Wales what its Government intends to achieve on their behalf over a period of 12 months. It would provide a clear method of judging the performance of the Welsh Government," said Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly.

The Welsh Lib Dems were the driving force behind the policy agenda of the Partnership Government in the previous Assembly and have set an example to Labour by publishing their own version of an Assembly Queen's Speech. The Welsh Lib Dem programme includes:

• Bringing doorstep recycling services to all households

• Greatly increasing the numbers eligible for free personal care

• Giving schools 'three-year funding'

Mike German added: "This programme for government would make an immediate change to the way Wales is governed, would improve the delivery of services to the people of Wales, and is deliverable within the current powers of the Assembly.

"A Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Government would also endorse the conclusions of the Richard Commission and urge the UK Government to implement legislation in accordance with the commission's recommendations.

"Our proposals would reinvigorate the Assembly. They give a clear indication of the priorities and agenda of a Welsh Lib Dem administration. The challenge is there for the First Minister and Labour to prove and provide leadership and outline their proposals for the coming year in the Assembly and Wales."