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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Cameron 'won't block powers vote' | Cameron 'won't block powers vote' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The Conservative leader says he would not block a request for a referendum on further law making powers for the assembly if he was prime minister. | The Conservative leader says 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, ended months of speculation about his party's position. | David Cameron, who is visiting north Wales, ended months of speculation about his party's position. |
| He said a future Tory government would back a poll if a request was made. | He said a future Tory government would back a poll if a request was made. |
| Mr Cameron told BBC Wales that jobs and the economy should be the assembly's priority but he would not not stand in the way of a referendum. | Mr Cameron told BBC Wales that jobs and the economy should be the assembly's priority but he would not not stand in the way of a referendum. |
| He was speaking during a visit to Broughton in Flintshire. | He was speaking during a visit to Broughton in Flintshire. |
| My own view is let's roll up our sleeves and deal with the real priorities - jobs investment, getting the economy going - that is what I think people in Wales care about most of all David Cameron, Conservative leader | My own view is let's roll up our sleeves and deal with the real priorities - jobs investment, getting the economy going - that is what I think people in Wales care about most of all David Cameron, Conservative leader |
| Mr Cameron said: "I believe the priorities in Wales are getting jobs, are getting the economy moving, are dealing with the deficit. | Mr Cameron said: "I believe the priorities in Wales are getting jobs, are getting the economy moving, are dealing with the deficit. |
| "But I know people do want an answer to the question: What if the Welsh assembly voted to have a wider referendum on more law making powers of the assembly?" | "But I know people do want an answer to the question: What if the Welsh assembly voted to have a wider referendum on more law making powers of the assembly?" |
| Mr Cameron added: "Would a Conservative government, if one is elected, allow that to go ahead? And I can tell you the answer to that question is yes, we would. We wouldn't stand in the way of that request. | Mr Cameron added: "Would a Conservative government, if one is elected, allow that to go ahead? And I can tell you the answer to that question is yes, we would. We wouldn't stand in the way of that request. |
| "But my own view is let's roll up our sleeves and deal with the real priorities - jobs investment, getting the economy going - that is what I think people in Wales care about most of all." | "But my own view is let's roll up our sleeves and deal with the real priorities - jobs investment, getting the economy going - that is what I think people in Wales care about most of all." |
| A Conservative government would hold a referendum if the assembly asked for one | |
| 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | There is likely to be disquiet amongst certain sections of his party on his attitude on this. |
| This had 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 had 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. |
| Plaid's Hywel Williams MP has responded to David Cameron's pledge that a future Conservative Government would not block a request from the Welsh Assembly Government for a referendum on further law-making powers for Wales. | Plaid's Hywel Williams MP has responded to David Cameron's pledge that a future Conservative Government would not block a request from the Welsh Assembly Government for a referendum on further law-making powers for Wales. |
| Mr Cameron's comments come ahead of the All Wales Convention report, due to be announced on November 18. | Mr Cameron's comments come ahead of the All Wales Convention report, due to be announced on November 18. |
| Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams MP asked whether it could be assumed it was now a "cast iron guarantee". | Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams MP asked whether it could be assumed it was now a "cast iron guarantee". |
| He added: "Any incoming Conservative Government must respect the democratic wishes and voices of the Welsh people. | He added: "Any incoming Conservative Government must respect the democratic wishes and voices of the Welsh people. |
| "I would expect Mr Cameron to give his assurances that the Tories would not employ any delaying tactics." | "I would expect Mr Cameron to give his assurances that the Tories would not employ any delaying tactics." |
| 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. |