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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Cameron 'won't block powers vote' | Cameron 'won't block powers vote' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Tory leader is due to say he would not block a request for a referendum on further law making powers for the assembly if he was prime minister. | The Tory leader is due to say he would not block a request for a referendum on further law making powers for the assembly if he was prime minister. |
| David Cameron, who is visiting north Wales later, is set to end months of speculation about his party's position. | David Cameron, who is visiting north Wales later, is set to end months of speculation about his party's position. |
| He is expected to say that a future Conservative government would back a poll if a formal request was made. | He is expected to say that a future Conservative government would back a poll if a formal request was made. |
| Tory sources in the assembly have expressed relief that the party in London is due to clarify its position. | Tory sources in the assembly have expressed relief that the party in London is due to clarify its position. |
| Under the Government of Wales Act 2006, a two-thirds majority of the assembly needs to vote in favour of holding a referendum to ask the Welsh people whether it should have full law-making powers. | Under the Government of Wales Act 2006, a two-thirds majority of the assembly needs to vote in favour of holding a referendum to ask the Welsh people whether it should have full law-making powers. |
| That request must then go to Westminster, where the Secretary of State for Wales decides whether to approve or deny the referendum. | That request must then go to Westminster, where the Secretary of State for Wales decides whether to approve or deny the referendum. |
| The Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan, has repeatedly refused to say whether a future Conservative government would agree to a request from the assembly. | The Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan, has repeatedly refused to say whether a future Conservative government would agree to a request from the assembly. |
| By John Stevenson, BBC Wales political correspondent | |
| Up to now the shadow secretary of state for Wales, Cheryl Gillan has repeatedly refused to say whether a future Conservative government would agree to a request from the assembly. | |
| That in turn has led to accusations from the other parties that the Tories could block a referendum, even if that was the will of the assembly. | |
| There comes a point where you can't hedge your bets, you can't go on...it just won't stick. | |
| By making the announcement they effectively kill that criticism dead. | |
| There is likely to be disquiet amongst certain sections of his party on his attitude on this. | |
| This has led to accusations from the other parties that the Tories could block a referendum even if it was the will of the assembly to hold one. | This has led to accusations from the other parties that the Tories could block a referendum even if it was the will of the assembly to hold one. |
| Under the present system, law making powers flow from Westminster to the assembly on a case-by-case basis. | Under the present system, law making powers flow from Westminster to the assembly on a case-by-case basis. |
| The system has been criticised in some quarters for being complicated and unwieldy. | The system has been criticised in some quarters for being complicated and unwieldy. |
| Lack of understanding | Lack of understanding |
| But the Government of Wales Act contains provision for a referendum on full law-making powers in all devolved areas. | But the Government of Wales Act contains provision for a referendum on full law-making powers in all devolved areas. |
| The All Wales Convention on further powers for the assembly is expected to report to the assembly government later this month on whether it should call a referendum. | The All Wales Convention on further powers for the assembly is expected to report to the assembly government later this month on whether it should call a referendum. |
| The indications are that it will urge a poll earlier rather than later, because of a widespread lack of understanding among the public about the way the system currently operates. | The indications are that it will urge a poll earlier rather than later, because of a widespread lack of understanding among the public about the way the system currently operates. |
| However, it is unlikely that the process of calling a referendum could be completed before the next general election, expected in late spring 2010. | However, it is unlikely that the process of calling a referendum could be completed before the next general election, expected in late spring 2010. |
| The assembly government is committed to a referendum on the issue by May 2011. | The assembly government is committed to a referendum on the issue by May 2011. |
| A recent YouGov poll suggested a majority of voters would vote 'yes' in a vote on extra powers for the assembly - but only by a small majority. | A recent YouGov poll suggested a majority of voters would vote 'yes' in a vote on extra powers for the assembly - but only by a small majority. |