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| More powers for Wales says report | More powers for Wales says report |
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| The assembly in Wales should be given full law-making powers in devolved areas through a referendum, a key report has found. | The assembly in Wales should be given full law-making powers in devolved areas through a referendum, a key report has found. |
| The All Wales Convention, established by the assembly government, said a 'yes' vote in favour of boosting powers was obtainable but not guaranteed. | The All Wales Convention, established by the assembly government, said a 'yes' vote in favour of boosting powers was obtainable but not guaranteed. |
| Opinion polling for the convention indicated 47% of people would vote 'yes' in a referendum and 37% 'no'. | Opinion polling for the convention indicated 47% of people would vote 'yes' in a referendum and 37% 'no'. |
| Ministers are committed to holding a poll, if it is winnable, by May 2011. | Ministers are committed to holding a poll, if it is winnable, by May 2011. |
| Establishing the convention was central to the coalition deal which formed the Labour-Plaid Cymru Welsh Assembly Government in the summer of 2007. | Establishing the convention was central to the coalition deal which formed the Labour-Plaid Cymru Welsh Assembly Government in the summer of 2007. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| Its role was to gauge the level of public support for the Welsh assembly gaining full law-making power and to provide the basis for ministers to decide whether or not to trigger a referendum. | |
| The 130-page report, compiled by chairman Sir Emyr Jones Parry and a 16-member executive committee, said a "great fog" surrounded the public understanding of the current system, where powers are transferred on a step-by-step basis from Westminster to Cardiff Bay. | The 130-page report, compiled by chairman Sir Emyr Jones Parry and a 16-member executive committee, said a "great fog" surrounded the public understanding of the current system, where powers are transferred on a step-by-step basis from Westminster to Cardiff Bay. |
| The document suggests the assembly should decide on whether or not to hold another referendum by June 2010 - to allow the poll to be held before the next assembly election. | |
| 'Legitimacy' | 'Legitimacy' |
| The convention unequivocally agreed that the transfer of full powers was preferable to the current system. | The convention unequivocally agreed that the transfer of full powers was preferable to the current system. |
| Sir Emyr Jones Parry chaired the convention Analysis: Is an assembly powers referendum inevitable? Roll up for powers' temperature test Challenge of power vote assessed What happens next? | Sir Emyr Jones Parry chaired the convention Analysis: Is an assembly powers referendum inevitable? Roll up for powers' temperature test Challenge of power vote assessed What happens next? |
| Sir Emyr said: "What we found was that the current arrangements for giving the assembly law-making powers... were seen as cumbersome and slow. | Sir Emyr said: "What we found was that the current arrangements for giving the assembly law-making powers... were seen as cumbersome and slow. |
| "Having the powers all at once offers distinct advantages and can only be obtained through a 'yes' vote in a referendum. | "Having the powers all at once offers distinct advantages and can only be obtained through a 'yes' vote in a referendum. |
| "If that happened, it would give particular legitimacy to the National Assembly for Wales." | "If that happened, it would give particular legitimacy to the National Assembly for Wales." |
| The convention concluded the current 60-member assembly could handle the additional workload of making its own laws but did not rule out increasing the number of members in future. | The convention concluded the current 60-member assembly could handle the additional workload of making its own laws but did not rule out increasing the number of members in future. |
| It also decided that giving the assembly full law-making powers would be broadly neutral in cost terms. | It also decided that giving the assembly full law-making powers would be broadly neutral in cost terms. |
| The convention process cost £1.3m pounds, £200,000 less than had been set aside by the assembly government. | The convention process cost £1.3m pounds, £200,000 less than had been set aside by the assembly government. |
| It received evidence from over 3,000 organisations and individuals across Wales. | It received evidence from over 3,000 organisations and individuals across Wales. |
| 'Proper tools' | 'Proper tools' |
| Plaid Cymru AM Helen Mary Jones said the report demonstrated "the people of Wales are ready for change". | Plaid Cymru AM Helen Mary Jones said the report demonstrated "the people of Wales are ready for change". |
| "As a nation, there is recognition that this is not about power for power's sake but about giving our Welsh government the proper tools it needs to do the job at hand," she said. | "As a nation, there is recognition that this is not about power for power's sake but about giving our Welsh government the proper tools it needs to do the job at hand," she said. |
| We note from the convention's research the strong support for devolution here in Wales Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne | We note from the convention's research the strong support for devolution here in Wales Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne |
| "(The report) has come about through Plaid's determination to improve the way our nation is governed. | "(The report) has come about through Plaid's determination to improve the way our nation is governed. |
| "I now look forward to the discussions that are to come in deciding exactly when the referendum is to take place." | "I now look forward to the discussions that are to come in deciding exactly when the referendum is to take place." |
| Under the Government of Wales Act 2006, two-thirds of assembly members need to vote in favour of holding a referendum. | Under the Government of Wales Act 2006, two-thirds of assembly members need to vote in favour of holding a referendum. |
| 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. |
| Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, who devised the current system by which the assembly obtains powers gradually, has argued it is "already delivering those comprehensive law-making powers from Westminster at an ever-increasing pace". | Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, who devised the current system by which the assembly obtains powers gradually, has argued it is "already delivering those comprehensive law-making powers from Westminster at an ever-increasing pace". |
| Mr Hain has warned a vote within the next two years would be lost. | Mr Hain has warned a vote within the next two years would be lost. |
| Slim lead | Slim lead |
| It is unlikely the process of calling a referendum could be completed before the next general election, expected in late spring 2010. | It is unlikely the process of calling a referendum could be completed before the next general election, expected in late spring 2010. |
| The three Welsh Labour leadership contenders - Carwyn Jones, Edwina Hart and Huw Lewis - have also said the poll should not take place before then. | The three Welsh Labour leadership contenders - Carwyn Jones, Edwina Hart and Huw Lewis - have also said the poll should not take place before then. |
| Earlier this month, Conservative leader David Cameron said he would not block a request for a referendum if he was prime minister. | Earlier this month, Conservative leader David Cameron said he would not block a request for a referendum if he was prime minister. |
| Welcoming the convention's report, Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne said he was "not at all surprised" it had "identified the failings of the current system and seen advantages in moving to full powers". | Welcoming the convention's report, Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne said he was "not at all surprised" it had "identified the failings of the current system and seen advantages in moving to full powers". |
| "We also note from the convention's research the strong support for devolution here in Wales," he said. | "We also note from the convention's research the strong support for devolution here in Wales," he said. |
| "David Cameron has made clear our position regarding the holding of a referendum. | "David Cameron has made clear our position regarding the holding of a referendum. |
| "We will be studying the results in great detail and reading with interest the views and thoughts of the electorate right across Wales," Mr Bourne added. | "We will be studying the results in great detail and reading with interest the views and thoughts of the electorate right across Wales," Mr Bourne added. |
| Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: "The report itself provides a devastating critique of the existing, half-baked settlement, confirming my belief that a referendum will allow Wales to choose a better, proper settlement, fit for the purpose of truly devolved Welsh government." | |
| "The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that the sooner a decision is taken to proceed with a referendum, the greater the opportunity for all political parties and progressive voices to build a coherent and persuasive 'yes' campaign." | |
| A recent YouGov poll also suggested more voters would vote 'yes' than 'no' in such a referendum, but with a slimmer 5% lead. | A recent YouGov poll also suggested more voters would vote 'yes' than 'no' in such a referendum, but with a slimmer 5% lead. |