UK needs to look at federalism because current system ‘doesn’t work’ says Conservative Senedd Member
A Conservative Senedd Member has said that the United Kingdom should explore the possibilities of a more federal structure because the current system “just doesn’t seem like it works properly”.
Speaking on the Walescast, Sam Kurtz also said that he would support expanding the Senedd when the time was right.
Both further autonomy for Wales and an expanded Senedd are opposed by the Welsh Conservative leadership.
“We really need to look at the way the United Kingdom is set up,” Sam Kurtz said. “It’s interesting how some of the former Commonwealth countries have been left in a federal state and we have not really looked at that here in the United Kingdom.
“So many call me a wet Tory – a realist I’d call myself. My personal preference and my party’s preference are potentially different.
“You’re looking at it as someone who’s walked into this landed here in Cardiff Bay and looking at the dynamics of it, it just doesn’t feel like it works properly.
“So if you were designing the United Kingdom now, how would it look? And I don’t think it would look like this. Maybe that’s just me theorising somewhat too much on it. And the reality is always very different to the ideologies and theories of it, but I do feel we could do better on this.”
The Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS also said that he would eventually like to see the Senedd expanded to 90 members, but that he didn’t feel that the timing was yet right.
“It’s going to happen. I’d like it to happen, but under the umbrella of what’s happening with costs at the moment I don’t think the timing is just there.”
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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 vote Plaid Cymru 🏴
Blimey, this boy will get some stick from the other Tory boys!
Good grief, now there’s a rare creature. A Conservative that isn’t a honking great British Nationalist. I thought they’d all abandoned ship or been kicked out! Bravo Sam Kurtz for swimming against the tide. Sadly a minority amongst all the headbanging ideologues he has for colleagues. Kurtz’ expressed view is to be welcomed in my opinion. If conservatives in Wales shift away from the constitutional status-quo it would be significant. When we become independent there will be a sizeable chunk of our electorate at odds with our new path. It’s in everyone’s interest that we’re able to move together as… Read more »
Don’t be so sure Arwyn, my view for #IndyWales within Welsh Labour was not really on the radar 10 years ago, now we have members openly standing for the Senydd with the same view.
That is most welcome Dave. However it stops short of a party that advocates sovereign Welsh statehood. Your leadership appears to be in agreement with Sam Kurtz on this one point. Should Welsh Labour become an independent party in its own right, that would be a significant change. We’re into new territory then. What vision of a future Wales will Welsh Labour settle upon?
absolutely agree, it has to happen and it is being advocated for as we speak or type. #IndyWales
The time for federalism has passed. The Tories broke the Union by trying to force people to embrace their flag waving England Uber Alles version of it. Independence for all nations of the toxic union. We can then join the other Union as a free and independent state (as I suspect would two of the other three.
In a nutshell, Llinos. The Scots won’t wear it either. You just have to hear the crescendo of voices every time Gordon Brown makes a ‘Broontervention’ (copyright, Wee Ginger Dug, All Rights Reserved) and tries to breathe life into the ‘federal fairy’. How there be equality in such a federalised state when the population of one country in that proposed entity has a population of over 80% of the total? How would you balance out the needs and requirements of rural West Wales to that of City of London? The present Disunited Kingdumb is unworkable – and is becoming more… Read more »
How to avoid England all others? Simple, the Federal government has 100 seats, with no more than 49 from England
I’m a cynic – is this change of heart by a Tory because the Union, in its present state, does not work for Cymru or is that some Tories are beginning to realise the direction Cymru is going will leave them behind unless they change. So are they really concerned about our future or their future? Perhaps they now fear the prospect of never gaining power – unless they change? As I wrote I’m a cynic, especially when it comes to Tories…
Or, replace the words Tory/Tories for Labour/Labourites.
Tory distraction, he doesn’t really mean it. Conservatives are out to conserve and never adapt.
It’s taken the Conservatives all this time to realise the idea of Federalism. Sorry Sam Kurtz , it’s a bit too late, especially seeing your puppetmaster Boris Johnson in Whitehall will never consider such a constitutional change preferring to do a Vladimir Putin by attempting the annexation of Wales & Welsh devolution. In the past a Federal System would have worked to a certain extent , an intermediate, but not now. As said, it’s too late. Brexit will destroy our farming industry. Wales has lost millions of its once EU structural funding replaced with a pittance with the majority syphoned… Read more »
Don’t get too excited, this one is a typical tory, he’s had his name in the papers for homophobic slurs and derogatory comments about women in the past, apart from that, federalism won’t work as Westminster will still hold power over the other government’s, federalism is not independence!
Another April fool?
Don’t muddy the waters Tory-Boy.
When I want your opinion I’ll beat it out of you.
Meaningless posturing.
Moving on.