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Wales parliament call by Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams | Wales parliament call by Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams |
(about 1 hour 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 a 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. |
The Brecon and Radnorshire AM 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. | The Brecon and Radnorshire AM 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. | "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." | "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." | 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' | 'Separatists' |
Ms Williams said "complacency in Westminster" had allowed nationalists to thrive in Scotland and had "handed them the devolution agenda". | 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 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. | "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." | "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' | '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. | 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 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. | "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. | "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." | "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. | 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." | "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." |