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| Wales parliament call by Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams has told the national party conference it was time Wales had a "proper parliament". | Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams has told the national party conference it was time Wales had a "proper parliament". |
| She said the Scottish referendum had to be lesson that people across the UK wanted more of a say over their future. | She said the Scottish referendum had to be lesson that people across the UK wanted more of a say over their future. |
| Speaking in Glasgow, Ms Williams called for a federal system made up of four equal nations. | Speaking in Glasgow, Ms Williams called for a federal system made up of four equal nations. |
| She challenged other parties to sign up to the Silk Commission recommendations on further powers for Wales. | She challenged other parties to sign up to the Silk Commission recommendations on further powers for Wales. |
| She said: " I challenge them all to do as Nick Clegg has done and sign up to the Silk Commission's recommendations - so that Wales can speak as one voice. | |
| "Wales must have a proper parliament. One that reflects the will of the people. One that has the powers to make a difference. One that shows that devolution really can work. | |
| "Our message to the people of Wales is clear: A vote for the Liberal Democrats will be a vote for Wales to have a real say over its destiny." | |
| She added: "Since the days of Lloyd George, Liberals have been the party of Home Rule. And I believe it's closer than it has ever been for a generation." | |
| 'Separatists' | |
| Ms Williams said "complacency in Westminster" had allowed nationalists to thrive in Scotland and had "handed them the devolution agenda". | |
| "The separatists wanted to divide our country and carve it up - and we almost let them do it," she told delegates. | |
| "The current approach of relieving the pressure wherever the constitutional shoe rubs most is simply not good enough. | |
| "If that approach continues, then don't be surprised if the Welsh conclude that it is only by voting nationalist that things will change. The Liberal Democrats must never let that happen." | |
| 'Place at the table' | |
| The Wales party leader said Scottish ambitions for home rule, which she stressed they must gain, could not be achieved without meeting those of Wales, Northern Ireland and England. | |
| "We are four nations distinct with our own ambitions, our own needs and our own outlook," said Ms Williams. "All these nations need a place at the table. | |
| "We need a federal solution in which all four nations are equal partners in charge of their own destiny, as part of one united family - and now is the time to do it. | |
| "The referendum must be a lesson that people across the UK want more of a say over their future. | |
| "We must show them that change is coming, independence can't be their only option." | |
| She also told the conference Labour had been in power since "the dawn of devolution" in Wales. | |
| "Our Welsh assembly was supposed to be a symbol of hope, but Labour strangled that optimism," she added. "They have wasted the opportunity the National Assembly gave us." |