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Devolution: Assembly members to vote on Wales Bill | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Assembly members are due to vote on whether they support the next stage of devolution outlined in the Wales Bill. | Assembly members are due to vote on whether they support the next stage of devolution outlined in the Wales Bill. |
It promises new powers for Wales, but has been criticised for possibly rolling back devolution in some areas. | It promises new powers for Wales, but has been criticised for possibly rolling back devolution in some areas. |
It is the fourth Wales Bill since the devolution process began in 1998 with the act which created the assembly. | |
But Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said on Tuesday that the Welsh devolution settlement will need another rethink because of Brexit. | |
A majority of AMs are expected to support the Wales Bill. | |
Labour - the largest group with 29 of the 60 assembly seats - voted on Monday to back the legislation despite some reservations. | |
They will be joined by the Conservatives,, who have also said they will support the bill. | |
Plaid announced on Tuesday that it will vote against it because of fears that the assembly will lose powers. | |
UKIP will also vote against the bill on different grounds - the party is opposed to the devolution of income tax powers without a referendum. | |
The latest Wales Bill offers to extend the transfer of powers over tax, energy, transport and the assembly's own affairs. | The latest Wales Bill offers to extend the transfer of powers over tax, energy, transport and the assembly's own affairs. |
It also introduces a system of powers that are reserved to Westminster - such as defence and foreign affairs - with everything else assumed to be devolved. | It also introduces a system of powers that are reserved to Westminster - such as defence and foreign affairs - with everything else assumed to be devolved. |
But the bill has been criticised for being unclear, for having a large list of reservations and for potentially resulting in a reduction of the assembly's ability to make laws. | |
Returning powers from the EU would mean more legislation would eventually be needed "to realign those responsibilities", said Mr Davies, who campaigned for a Leave vote in the EU referendum. | |
"This will not be the last Wales Bill, but it will be the last Wales Bill in this parliamentary session", he added. | |
The Welsh Conservative leader also regretted the UK government's decision not to devolve powers over air passenger duty. | |
He said he thought it would be devolved eventually as there was "no coherent argument to hold it back". | |
'Real step forward' | |
Delyn AM Hannah Blythyn, who chairs the Labour group, said it was "not the Bill we would have developed and it is not the Bill that Wales deserves". | Delyn AM Hannah Blythyn, who chairs the Labour group, said it was "not the Bill we would have developed and it is not the Bill that Wales deserves". |
"However, on balance this legislation will give the country more constitutional certainty and the fiscal framework in particular represents a real step forward," she added. | "However, on balance this legislation will give the country more constitutional certainty and the fiscal framework in particular represents a real step forward," she added. |
Plaid decided on Tuesday at its group meeting to oppose the bill. Although Sian Gwenllian, Simon Thomas and Elin Jones voted in favour, the rest of the 11-member group opposed the move. | |
Speaking after the vote, South Wales West AM Dai Lloyd told BBC Wales the bill was a "significant roll back in powers and that's why we are voting against it". | |
Steffan Lewis, Plaid Cymru's spokesman for external affairs, who opposes the bill called it "constitutional blackmail". | |
He said there were elements - such as powers over fracking licences and the constitution of the assembly - to be welcomed, but added: "At the same time we have a list of 200 reservations which allow the UK government an enhanced ability to challenge our legislation in the Supreme Court." | |
UKIP's Mark Reckless has dubbed the bill a "stitch-up" between Welsh Labour and the Conservatives "from the start to ditch promised [referendum before] devolving income tax raising powers". | |
What is in the Wales Bill? | What is in the Wales Bill? |
Under a political convention between the assembly and Westminster, the Wales Bill needs a legislative consent motion passed in the Senedd before it can be become law. | Under a political convention between the assembly and Westminster, the Wales Bill needs a legislative consent motion passed in the Senedd before it can be become law. |
That is because the Wales Bill relates to devolved matters. | That is because the Wales Bill relates to devolved matters. |
The convention does not have legal force but Wales Office minister Lord Bourne has said the bill will not become law if the assembly does not approve it. | The convention does not have legal force but Wales Office minister Lord Bourne has said the bill will not become law if the assembly does not approve it. |