House of Lords backs Plaid Cymru proposal to protect Senedd from Westminster ‘power-grabs’
The House of Lords has backed legislation proposed by Plaid Cymru designed to protect the Senedd from Westminster power-grabs without overwhelming approval from Senedd members.
The Government of Wales (Devolved Powers) Bill, is sponsored by former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley and aims to establish legal safeguards for powers devolved to the Senedd.
It would ensure that any alteration or reduction in the Welsh Parliament’s powers must obtain a ‘super-majority’ consensus from two-thirds of Senedd members.
Plaid Cymru has described the bill as being a response to “relentless power-grabs” by the Conservative Government since the referendum to leave the European Union.
Today’s vote is the first time a Plaid Cymru Bill has passed in the House of Lords.
Now it has finished Third Reading, it will now progress to the House of Commons.
Plaid Cymru MPs will be urging the UK Government to make time for the Bill to be discussed at the earliest opportunity.
Stability
Dafydd Wigley said: “Ahead of today’s debate, I had indications of support from individual members from all four groups in the Lords – Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and crossbench. I am very grateful to them as well as Senedd Cymru for their advice in progressing this Bill.
“The aim of the Bill is to provide a greater stability than has existed over the past few years, particularly since the Brexit vote, which has led to the legislative powers of Wales Senedd being undermined by actions of the UK government.
“This has on several occasions been against the wishes of the Welsh Government; and at times, in what has appeared to be in conflict with the legislative framework within which the Senedd conducts its business.
“I now look forward to seeing what progress can be made by MPs in considering the merits of these proposals. I strongly believe that there is cross-party support for there to be a new understanding between Westminster and Senedd Cymru. I believe that there is a better climate emerging but there needs to be further work to be done. This legislation would be a means for doing that.”
Plaid Cymru Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP added: “I congratulate Dafydd Wigley on the passing of his Bill. Plaid Cymru MPs will be pushing for time to be made at the earliest opportunity for the Bill to be debated in the House of Commons.
“Wales has endured relentless power-grabs since the beginning of the Brexit progress. This Bill would ensure that the people of Wales, through their elected representatives in the Senedd, decide whether powers can be taken away – and to block unilateral attempts by Westminster to undermine their wishes.”
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Truly amazing! Something powerful and meaningful that derails the anti democracy devolution roll back brigands and tells THEM what’s what for a change. Big up to Daf and the Lords.
It will be interesting to hear what ridiculous excuse the UK Government (and the Tories in the Senedd) come up with to block this Act which simply takes back control.
You’re right, they will probably give us the usual “it’s not what the people want” nonsense.
Plaid’s Dafydd Wigley is a politician fighting for Wales against authoritarian Whitehall who trample over Wales with impunity like ISIS would human rights. Remember the Welsh Conservatives , somebody has too, and how their leader Andrew RT Davies said during one Senedd election, ” If I become Wales First Minister would not step on Whitehall’s turf conserving what’s not devolved”, and then proceeded to sit on his hands when his puppet masters in London hijacked our Brexit powers, stole Welsh Government administration powers over our EU/UK structural funding , and used their Shared Prosperity Fund & Levelling up bills to… Read more »
Thank God that somebody in politics is stiking up for Wales i don’t see the Welsh labour party MPS saying anything and don’t stand up for Wales
The Tories will dismiss this with the old “I’m not hearing any of these concerns in my constituency” argument.
When the House of Lords protects Cymru from the Tories, you know things are bad!
Fancy another bash at leader, Daf? I know he’s 80 years old, but the US is only allowing OAPs at the top table right now.
DW served Cymru so well and for so long and Plad members will miss his wise and evidence based approach…whether it was on Merthyr Council, in the Commons for Arfon or in Cardiff Bay.
His big tent approach and abilities to develop alliances from ‘ across the isle ‘plus long lost links with the then SNP leadership served Wales well.
A lesson I think 🤔 for some of those who see Plaid as a sort of Welsh conscience for Mark Drakeford and co ?
It might be the cynic in me but I’m not convinced by this apparent show of altruism by the HoL. I don’t think this is so much about preserving Welsh democracy but actually preserving the UK union. The union can survive Welsh and Scottish nationalism. But the union cannot survive increasing levels of aggressive English nationalism that we have seen since Brexit and if an ever more belligerent Westminster continues on the fascist path it has been going since Brexit the English themselves will end up collapsing the UK. This is an attempt at limiting the overreach of Westminster in… Read more »