Commission on Wales’ future is an ‘opportunity to make the case for independence’
The independent constitutional commission on Wales’ future is an opportunity to “make the case for independence” according to Plaid Cymru.
The party’s Constitution and Justice and Justice spokesperson, Rhys ab Owen, was responding to the announcement that Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and former Welsh football international Professor Laura McAllister will chair the commission set up by the Welsh Government.
Plaid have welcomed the move, saying they will “engage constructively” with it, and that they will argue that “Wales’s future are placed in Wales’s hands”.
According to the Welsh Government the aim will be to develop options for fundamental reform of the constitutional structures of the UK and how it can best improve outcomes for the people of Wales.
But Laura McAllister said that all options would be in the table – including independence.
Rhys ab Owen said: “A Constitutional Commission is an opportunity to hold the most wide-ranging national conversation about Wales’s future in the history of devolution.
“We welcome Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Rowan Williams to post and wish them well in their roles as Chairs.
“Plaid Cymru looks forward to engaging constructively with the Commission and its work, making use of every opportunity it presents to make the case for independence and that our nation’s interests will be best served when decisions over Wales’s future are placed in Wales’s hands.”
‘Rejected’
The Welsh Conservatives have hit out at the commission with the party’s Shadow Minister for the Constitution, Darren Millar MS saying: “People in Wales overwhelmingly rejected independence at the recent Senedd elections; and why the Welsh Labour Government would want to waste it’s time and resources discussing the topic is beyond me.
“Instead of prioritising discussions on independence and constitutional change the Welsh Labour Government should be using the powers it already has to get to grips with the challenges facing Wales.
“Talking up independence and talking down the Union won’t do anything to address the waiting list backlog in our NHS, the months of lost education experienced by our young people, or the adverse impact of severe restrictions on our economy and society.”
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The Welsh Tories are the sea anchor that is holding Wales back from any kind of future…they must be cut free and allowed to sink to the bottom of the Celtic Sea…
Just need the electorate – ie, the people of Wales – to share that view next time there’s an election
22% of voters in Wales and 44% in Powys are English born. We have to convince these refugees from chaos to put Wales before their birthplace. How is the problem.
Well, explain that most of us are in the same boat and our daily bread is buttered on the same side. Add our long and fascinating history, our slower pace of life, love of nature, who is not inspired by a half hour walk in the company of Iolo Williams. The thrill of walking the miles of beaches and wild rocky cliffs of our beautiful coastline. Just look at the enthusiasm with which we followed Will Renwick on his epic journey from peak to peak. My cleverer half and I spent the weekend showing friends from London the antiquities of… Read more »
That’s a big, unjustified leap you’ve made. Suggesting that anyone born in England automatically puts England first is nonsense. Plenty of Welsh people aren’t born in Wales, but you think that makes them less patriotic? Nice of you to at least admit you think they’re second-class citizens.
Hi Chris, you alright…
I’m Powys, many babies from Welsh families are born over the border because the closest hospitals are in England.
AML i gnoc a dur y garreg,(Y graig fawr sydd yn ein dal yn ol ydi San Stefan)
Cool, clywes i fyth mor ddihareb yn cael ei ‘sgrifennu ffordd ‘na! “dyfal donc a dur y garreg” wede ni yn y de. Wel, yng ngwm Tawe, o leia. Ma’ Well da v “aml i gonc”! – gwell mydr
O le wyt ti’n dod, os nag wyt tn meindio vn gofyn?
What’s the bet that the commission will just rubbish the idea of independence and claim that it isn’t viable.
Regardless of what the commission come up with it won’t matter anyway. Unless it recommends scrapping devolution outright the Tories will just ignore it.
This Commision offers a chance to develop a cross party platform on common areas for quality governance. Looking at areas Wales needs to move on around strategic economic developmemt, , air traffic duties, training, crimonal justice, policing and broadcasting / bringing together a coalition of the willing. The progressive majority within Wales came together after the Bowen Commision and for the setting up of S4C. Most within Labour plus Plaid and the Lib Dems and Greens as well as moderate conservatives of the ilk of David Melding and those in local government from the independent tradition need to seek realistic… Read more »
How I wish Melding would form another party.
Interested to know why Dr Rowan Williams is described as the former Archbishop of Canterbury, rather than the former Archbishop of Wales. Any suggestions?
Any easy one mste !
RW was the first non member of the COfE to be given the post –
ie Showing how Wales can help
England / when its on its own governance 😀
He is both of those, but he was Archbishop of Canterbury after he was Archbishop of Wales, so as the A of C post was his last ecclesiastical post that is how he is designated.
Darren Millar says ““Instead of prioritising discussions on independence and constitutional change the Welsh Labour Government should be using the powers it already has to get to grips with the challenges facing Wales.” Darren the Welsh Government is managing its challenges pretty well, one of biggest problems is the English Government. To manage better we need control of our own resources like laws, policing, taxation etc. Discussing greater devolution and independence isn’t a replacement it’s an essential part of the job.
Shan Morgain you have got right to the heart of the problem.
The main point of any elected body is outcome to benefit the many / rather than method or pathways to achieve that outcome. The current lack of general cooperation from Westminster and occasionaly Cardiff – impeeds outcome and dis benefits us all. The roles of Westminster and Cardiff need to be definded in statute as they are in Germany – between States and the Federal Gvt or as in Switzerland between Canton and the Confederal Bern Gvt. This will stop pulling back of agteed powers for certain – but will also allow for less blame culture in the opposite direction… Read more »
Tories nervous. I wonder why?
Quite the opposite to what the Tories are spouting – talking up independence is precisely what Wales needs to do. With one hand tied behind its back, as part of the Union, the issues they moan about will never be properly resolved. We have to have a serious talk about whether independence will be the best option for Wales or not. I believe by taking things into our own hands – we can do things far far better.