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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Welsh secretary criticises Cardiff government for seeking new powers | Welsh secretary criticises Cardiff government for seeking new powers |
| (3 months later) | |
| The Welsh secretary has accused the Labour-led government in Cardiff of wanting to acquire new devolved powers in the same way that butterfly collectors constantly seek new specimens. David Jones claimed that the Welsh government was not using the powers it currently had to make the country more prosperous and successful. | The Welsh secretary has accused the Labour-led government in Cardiff of wanting to acquire new devolved powers in the same way that butterfly collectors constantly seek new specimens. David Jones claimed that the Welsh government was not using the powers it currently had to make the country more prosperous and successful. |
| Jones was in Cardiff on Monday night making a speech about the future of devolution and arguing that the current model should work well. | Jones was in Cardiff on Monday night making a speech about the future of devolution and arguing that the current model should work well. |
| Before the speech Jones criticised the Labour-led Welsh government for seeking further powers. The secretary of state said: "It's like a butterfly collector: here's a new one, I'll just pin it up on the board. We need powers for a purpose. Frankly, a lot of the powers they have at the moment are not being used." | Before the speech Jones criticised the Labour-led Welsh government for seeking further powers. The secretary of state said: "It's like a butterfly collector: here's a new one, I'll just pin it up on the board. We need powers for a purpose. Frankly, a lot of the powers they have at the moment are not being used." |
| Jones added: "The model we have in Wales is the correct one. It should be a dynamic form of devolution that sees powers flowing backwards and forwards as and when required in a way that best meets changing circumstances." | Jones added: "The model we have in Wales is the correct one. It should be a dynamic form of devolution that sees powers flowing backwards and forwards as and when required in a way that best meets changing circumstances." |
| Jones also criticised the lack of excitement and apparent engagement in debates at the Welsh assembly. He said too many members appeared to be "fiddling with computer screens rather than engaging with the debate" and claimed: "That tends to lend an air of detachment to the proceedings." | Jones also criticised the lack of excitement and apparent engagement in debates at the Welsh assembly. He said too many members appeared to be "fiddling with computer screens rather than engaging with the debate" and claimed: "That tends to lend an air of detachment to the proceedings." |
| Jones said: "The House of Commons is a lot more rough-and-tumble than the assembly. Frankly the House of Lords is a lot more rough-and-tumble than the assembly." | Jones said: "The House of Commons is a lot more rough-and-tumble than the assembly. Frankly the House of Lords is a lot more rough-and-tumble than the assembly." |
| Owen Smith MP, Labour's shadow Welsh secretary, said: "How typical that in a week in which the rest of Wales is worrying about what further reductions to the Welsh budget the Tory party will unveil on Wednesday, our out of touch secretary of state should choose to make a speech on the constitution." | Owen Smith MP, Labour's shadow Welsh secretary, said: "How typical that in a week in which the rest of Wales is worrying about what further reductions to the Welsh budget the Tory party will unveil on Wednesday, our out of touch secretary of state should choose to make a speech on the constitution." |
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