No point asking UK Government for ‘more devolution’, Labour MS suggests
A Labour MS has suggested that there isn’t point in asking the UK Government for “more devolution”.
Jenny Rathbone, who represents Cardiff Central, said the Tory government in Westminster is “hates devolution”, and is “absolutely not interested” in transferring more power to the Senedd.
During a debate on tacking the climate crisis, she said the UK Government is “doing everything possible to claw it back from us”, and that it is using Brexit as an “opportunity to do it”.
The Welsh Government’s Counsel General Mick Antoniw was recently rebuffed by the UK Government after he asked for power over justice to be devolved to Wales.
He said the refusal to devolve justice was “hugely disappointing” and described it as a “political trick which has little to do with the best administration of the justice system and the wellbeing of the Welsh people.”
In the Senedd, Jenny Rathbone said: “We are in danger of being paralysed by the extent of the challenge in front of us, but, really, it is no use wringing our hands in despair; we really do have to grasp the moment, and we all have a part to play.
“But I really don’t think it’s much use throwing darts at the UK Government to ask them for more devolution, because they are absolutely not interested.
“They hate devolution and they are doing everything possible to claw it back from us, using leaving the European Union as the opportunity to do it.
‘Not a penny less’
She added: “‘Not a penny less’ we were told would happen as a result of Brexit – that went well; £137 million less from the rural development programme and the hijacking of all the structural funds into their so-called shared prosperity fund.
“‘Take back control’ didn’t mean empowering local communities, just more power for the mega rich, who are now buying their influence over the UK Government ruling party.
“So, let’s forget what the UK Government isn’t going to do for us; we know that.”
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So if they won’t give it to us let’s go for Independence
If it so obvious, there is only one path to take. By going our own way as an independent nation, we set the agenda and the standards, not being controlled by some party, flush with money from offshore accounts, and being influenced and beholden to foreign billionaires, who have only self interest, and no care or worry for the people of our country.
stop asking and just take what is rightfully ours.
That was exactly the same case when English Labour was in power in Westminster for 13 f’ing years. It doesn’t matter who is in charge there because they will automatically ignore us anyway. This is truly pathetic by Welsh Labour. Instead of whining, threaten independence or they will continue ignoring those cowards.
CW this is Jenny Rathbone saying this, a true Unionist in her youth who is now asking the question. far from welsh labour taking the hit and saying nothing, they are now stating what we in #Labourforindependence have been saying internally for years. It is getting through to the MS’s SO LETS BACK THEM AND NOT BITCH ABOUT YESTERDAY.
Fair enough, but we are fed up of “asking”, and I’ll bet you are too, Dave?.
The new word is INDY.
No, let’s bitch about yesterday so they don’t do the exact same mistakes again. By the way, not once did she mention independence, so get that message through harder to them next time.
I really don’t think any mention of independence was needed, it was all the more apparent for not being said. That said, I realised in a very substantial way soon after starting the Welsh Studies course at Coleg Harlech in the mid 80s that logically and rationally the only way that Labour could ever achieve their central aims, (before the onset of Tory New Labour) for any part of the UK, including eventually England, was through backing independence for the Celtic Fringe. The contradictions involved in delivering for both England and the Celtic periphery meant that achieving the best outcomes… Read more »
Good luck in your fight, regardless of political affiliations, I am sure every indy supporter is behind you.
There would have been no devolution without a Labour Government in London.
Labour Unions recently voted against changing electoral system which means UK will go into next election with a system which favours a two party race despite multiple parties running (mainly splitting the progressive vote) and the two main parties both opposing reform to that system. If Labour want to keep the union together they have to win over the Unions, change that vote and giving us a real chance of devolution max – but even then they’re still not masters of the UK’s fate which lies with the Tory party in England. If the Tory party want to keep the… Read more »
So … no prospect of a Labour majority in England for a long time. Years of Tory misrule ahead of us. A century dominated by Tory misrule and Labour timidity behind us. Radical Tory British Nationalists looking to unravel devolution and eliminate our national identity.
What do you think we should do Jenny?
I mean she’s not wrong, but when will Welsh Labour make that leap of faith to back Indy Wales?
Otherwise the country that we love will be taken away from us.
It’s time for a new wales 🏴 kick all English party’s out of wales that’s the Tories Labour and all Brexit party’s stop being little Englanders and and be proud to be welsh start fighting for your children and grandchildren future in wales 🏴
I take it you want a one party state with Plaid Cynru the only Party, that’s the only “non English” party in Wales.
Grayham is the resident bot, he’s harmless if a little boringly repetitive. Best to ignore him, as that seems to be what most people do.
Typical Welsh Labour defeatist attitude. And the reason why Wales is continually ignored & stepped on by Whitehall.
And If we depend on Labour to fight for Wales will never be prosperous or reach our potential as a people & country.
#YesCymru 🏴👍. #Ymlaen 🏴👍 #IndyWales 🏴 #IndyCymru 🏴👍. #UnionismSucks 🇬🇧 👎 #WhithallFailsWales 🇬🇧👎
I agree with every comment here, Welsh Labour it’s time to wake up and start looking at whether it is possible we can become more prosperous on our own. I believe we can, we have a hell of a lot going for us, it just takes belief.