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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Vote to trigger power referendum | Vote to trigger power referendum |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A Welsh assembly vote next week could enable AMs to "trigger" the process for a referendum on further powers. | A Welsh assembly vote next week could enable AMs to "trigger" the process for a referendum on further powers. |
| The Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru leaders, Carwyn Jones and Ieuan Wyn Jones, have confirmed it will begin the process towards the referendum. | The Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru leaders, Carwyn Jones and Ieuan Wyn Jones, have confirmed it will begin the process towards the referendum. |
| The vote on Tuesday, 9 February will be drafted to facilitate the so-called "trigger," but the assembly government is not sure of the 40 votes it needs. | The vote on Tuesday, 9 February will be drafted to facilitate the so-called "trigger," but the assembly government is not sure of the 40 votes it needs. |
| Both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats say they could abstain. | Both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats say they could abstain. |
| A Yes vote in a referendum on full powers in devolved areas would enable the assembly to make laws in areas it already has responsibility for without seeking the approval of the UK parliament. Such policy areas include health, education, transport and the environment. | A Yes vote in a referendum on full powers in devolved areas would enable the assembly to make laws in areas it already has responsibility for without seeking the approval of the UK parliament. Such policy areas include health, education, transport and the environment. |
| If next week's trigger vote is passed, First Minister Carwyn Jones will notify Welsh Secretary Peter Hain of the assembly's wishes within 14 days by letter. | If next week's trigger vote is passed, First Minister Carwyn Jones will notify Welsh Secretary Peter Hain of the assembly's wishes within 14 days by letter. |
| Mr Hain would then have 120 days - or until 9 June - to lay a detailed draft order for a referendum, to be voted on by both houses of Parliament. | Mr Hain would then have 120 days - or until 9 June - to lay a detailed draft order for a referendum, to be voted on by both houses of Parliament. |
| But both Tories and Lib Dems have reiterated that they will not back the trigger vote unless they get an assurance that the referendum will not happen on or around the assembly election day in May 2011. | But both Tories and Lib Dems have reiterated that they will not back the trigger vote unless they get an assurance that the referendum will not happen on or around the assembly election day in May 2011. |
| That would mean falling short of the 40 votes it needs to pass the trigger vote. A meeting of the four party leaders is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. | That would mean falling short of the 40 votes it needs to pass the trigger vote. A meeting of the four party leaders is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. |
| We believe we could do even more for the people of Wales if all new laws could be made here by the assembly First Minister Carwyn Jones | We believe we could do even more for the people of Wales if all new laws could be made here by the assembly First Minister Carwyn Jones |
| Both Labour and Plaid say they are not prepared to rule any dates in or out, and senior sources are adamant that no date has yet been chosen. | Both Labour and Plaid say they are not prepared to rule any dates in or out, and senior sources are adamant that no date has yet been chosen. |
| Carwyn Jones said: "We believe we could do even more for the people of Wales if all new laws in the areas that are currently devolved could be made here by the assembly." | |
| 'Unenviable' job | 'Unenviable' job |
| The Welsh Labour leader said he would anticipate that any campaign for a Yes vote would "start in earnest after the general election," which has to be held by June at the latest. | The Welsh Labour leader said he would anticipate that any campaign for a Yes vote would "start in earnest after the general election," which has to be held by June at the latest. |
| He said it would be important that people understood the nature of the question asked in the referendum and that proposing that question would be an "unenviable" job for the Electoral Commisssion. | He said it would be important that people understood the nature of the question asked in the referendum and that proposing that question would be an "unenviable" job for the Electoral Commisssion. |
| A two-thirds majority of AMs will be needed to carry the "trigger' resolution, which means 40 or more votes. | A two-thirds majority of AMs will be needed to carry the "trigger' resolution, which means 40 or more votes. |
| Attention will now focus on the likelihood of that vote being successful, given that, with two AMs on long-term sick leave, the Labour-Plaid coalition can only count on 36 votes. | Attention will now focus on the likelihood of that vote being successful, given that, with two AMs on long-term sick leave, the Labour-Plaid coalition can only count on 36 votes. |
| Carwyn Jones said the matter of whether opposition parties would support the trigger motion on 9 February was a matter for them. | Carwyn Jones said the matter of whether opposition parties would support the trigger motion on 9 February was a matter for them. |
| He added that he welcomed reports that the Liberal Democrats would back the motion. He added: "As regards the Conservatives, you have to ask them what their position is." | He added that he welcomed reports that the Liberal Democrats would back the motion. He added: "As regards the Conservatives, you have to ask them what their position is." |
| Many people believe it's the assembly and the the assembly government which should have the most influence over the people of Wales and we're moving in that direction Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones | Many people believe it's the assembly and the the assembly government which should have the most influence over the people of Wales and we're moving in that direction Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones |
| Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Many people believe it's the assembly and the the assembly government which should have the most influence over the people of Wales and we're moving in that direction. | Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Many people believe it's the assembly and the the assembly government which should have the most influence over the people of Wales and we're moving in that direction. |
| "The opportunity that arrives for us under the Government of Wales Act, with the opportunity for a referendum means that we can do a lot of things more efficiently." | "The opportunity that arrives for us under the Government of Wales Act, with the opportunity for a referendum means that we can do a lot of things more efficiently." |
| The Plaid leader said the timing of the 9 February vote meant that "it keeps all options open...that will mean there may be a referendum in the autumn or it may be next year." | The Plaid leader said the timing of the 9 February vote meant that "it keeps all options open...that will mean there may be a referendum in the autumn or it may be next year." |
| He said support for the trigger motion "doesn't tie you to a particular date or rule anything in or out". | He said support for the trigger motion "doesn't tie you to a particular date or rule anything in or out". |
| The reason for any doubt about the vote being carried is that, though the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats both support a referendum, each is concerned about when it would take place. | The reason for any doubt about the vote being carried is that, though the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats both support a referendum, each is concerned about when it would take place. |
| 'Confusing situation' | 'Confusing situation' |
| They want assurances that the referendum would not coincide with the period around the next assembly election on 5 May, 2011. | They want assurances that the referendum would not coincide with the period around the next assembly election on 5 May, 2011. |
| Lib Dems reacted to the announcement by saying that despite their "100%" commitment to a referendum, they will abstain on the trigger vote if the referendum is not ruled out on or near that date. | Lib Dems reacted to the announcement by saying that despite their "100%" commitment to a referendum, they will abstain on the trigger vote if the referendum is not ruled out on or near that date. |
| The Conservatives have also said they will abstain without such assurances from the Government. | The Conservatives have also said they will abstain without such assurances from the Government. |
| Both oppose any possibility of fighting a referendum campaign on further powers at the same time as an assembly election. | Both oppose any possibility of fighting a referendum campaign on further powers at the same time as an assembly election. |
| They are against what they fear would be a confusing situation where politicians would be attacking each other as part of the election campaign, but uniting elsewhere around the referendum issue. | They are against what they fear would be a confusing situation where politicians would be attacking each other as part of the election campaign, but uniting elsewhere around the referendum issue. |
| The question of the timing of any referendum remains highly uncertain. | The question of the timing of any referendum remains highly uncertain. |
| Even if all parties agree that an autumn 2010 referendum would be preferable, the pressures of parliamentary time, and uncertainties around a general election mean it may not be deliverable. | Even if all parties agree that an autumn 2010 referendum would be preferable, the pressures of parliamentary time, and uncertainties around a general election mean it may not be deliverable. |