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Devolution: Assembly members to vote on Wales Bill | Devolution: Assembly members to vote on Wales Bill |
(35 minutes 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. |
First Minister Carwyn Jones recommended AMs vote for the bill, saying it needs improvement but "takes Wales forward". | First Minister Carwyn Jones recommended AMs vote for the bill, saying it needs improvement but "takes Wales forward". |
But Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood suggested Wales had been "backed into a corner" over the devolution legislation. | |
A majority of AMs are expected to support the Wales Bill, with the vote happening later on Tuesday evening. | |
Labour - the largest group with 29 of the 60 assembly seats - voted on Monday to back the legislation despite some reservations. | 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. | They will be joined by the Conservatives,, who have also said they will support the bill. |
UKIP and Plaid Cymru will vote against the bill, but for different reasons. | |
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. | 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. |
The first minister told the Senedd debate on the Wales Bill: "On balance, I believe it is in the best interests of Wales, as we look at dealing with the issue of Brexit, that we take what is on offer today". | |
Mr Jones said the bill should be seen as "another step on what is a long journey of devolution", with some areas having "a need for improvement", such as the lack of devolution of air passenger duty. | |
He added that it was "not possible to conclude that the reserved powers model, welcome though it is in theory, is fit for purpose in the long term". | |
"There is no other country that I know of where two legislatures exist in the same jurisdiction", he said. | "There is no other country that I know of where two legislatures exist in the same jurisdiction", he said. |
"It's possible in the future that somebody might be arrested in Cardiff for something that is not an offence in Wales." | "It's possible in the future that somebody might be arrested in Cardiff for something that is not an offence in Wales." |
The first minister said it confuses the "public and professions". | The first minister said it confuses the "public and professions". |
Plaid Cymru decided at its group meeting earlier on Tuesday to oppose the bill. While Sian Gwenllian, Simon Thomas and Elin Jones voted in favour, the rest of the 11-member group opposed the move. | |
Ms Wood said Plaid was voting against the Wales Bill "with a heavy heart". | |
"We never want to see Wales backed into a corner again," she said. | |
Her party supported the fiscal framework on Wales' funding negotiated between the UK and Welsh governments, she said. | |
But she added: "The UK Government did not have to tie the fiscal framework to a bill that would restrict our ability to make laws. | |
"The public finances of Wales should not be conditional on accepting a worsened legislative framework." | |
UKIP group leader Neil Hamilton told the Senedd he supported the broad principles of the Wales Bill. | |
But he said the removal of the referendum requirement before income tax powers are devolved is a "constitutional deficiency we ought not to ignore". | |
He said it is an "important principle that politicians should keep their promises and should be held to their word". | |
Mark Reckless, UKIP AM for South Wales East, added: "They know if they did have a referendum they would lose." | |
Before the debate, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said the Welsh devolution settlement will need another rethink because of Brexit. | |
It is the fourth Wales Bill since the devolution process began in 1998 with the act which created the assembly. | |
Mr Davies said powers returned to the UK by the European Union after Brexit would require more legislation "to realign those responsibilities". | |
"This will not be the last Wales Bill, but it will be the last Wales Bill in this parliamentary session", he added. | "This will not be the last Wales Bill, but it will be the last Wales Bill in this parliamentary session", he added. |
Mr Davies also regretted the UK government's decision not to devolve powers over air passenger duty. | Mr Davies 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". | He said he thought it would be devolved eventually as there was "no coherent argument to hold it back". |
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. |