Governance Bill will "plague Wales for a generation"

12.00.00am GMT Thu 8th Dec 2005

Welsh Liberal Democrats have branded the new Government of Wales Bill "a timid step forward" and fear it will create uncertainty that will plague Wales for a generation.

The bill, published today, starts the process of turning Labour's white paper - Better Governance for Wales - in to law. But rather than taking the great leap forward envisaged by the Richard Commission, the bill recommends a more difficult and confusing path to more powers for Wales.

Lembit Opik, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "Many people enjoy sweets at Christmas, so Labour are bringing out their constitutional fudge just in time.

"This bill is a step in the right direction, but it is a timid step, taken at a time when we could have, and should have, taken a great leap forward.

"Instead of creating a strong Parliament for Wales, with proper law making powers, they have settled for something far less than Lord Richard and his expert cross-party group recommended. Welsh Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for Wales to have a Parliament with the powers to do the job. That campaign will continue."

Assembly leader Mike German said that far from settling the constitutional question, the new bill would leave it up in the air for another generation.

He said: "By failing to adopt the Richard Commission's proposals, he has thrown away any chance of providing stability. Richard offered a way forward which had strong, cross-party agreement. Hain's bill cannot answer the question of when the Assembly will achieve full law making powers. Without an answer to that question the issue will not be settled. The constitutional issue will plague Wales for another generation."

The white paper also proposed changes to the electoral system, as a way for Labour AMs and MPs to unite around a common enemy - opposition AMs elected via the regional lists.

Mike German added: "This is pure Labour spite. They have rallied around to scapegoat regional list Assembly members, because that is what they can agree on. It is a cynical tactic to deflect from Labour's deep split on precisely what powers the Assembly should have."

The bill will receive unprecedented scrutiny at both ends of the M4.

Welsh Lib Dem peer Lord Roberts of Llandudno added: "The Welsh Liberal Democrats are the only party which genuinely believes in devolution and which will be scrutinising this bill closely in the House of Commons, House of Lords and the Assembly. It is vital we get the best deal we can for the people of Wales.

"We will be looking to ensure that the bill provides a strong constitutional settlement which is robust enough to withstand governments of different parties either in Cardiff Bay, or in Westminster.

"Labour must not cobble a deal that works at the moment, but would unravel under any other circumstances."