Queen's speech leaves Wales in the devolution slow lane (Eleanor Burnham )

Cymraeg
English

Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Queen's speech leaves Wales in the devolution slow lane

December 4, 2008 3:00 PM

Commenting on the Queen's Speech, Welsh Liberal Democrat Eleanor Burnham said: "This Queen's Speech is another missed opportunity, and a typically unambitious settlement for Wales from a government that pays only lip-service to devolution.

"In some cases we are left to wonder whether this is a case of Westminster blocking further powers for Wales, or the Labour-Plaid government in Cardiff Bay failing to ask for more?

"Either way, Wales has been left in the devolution slow lane."

Ms Burnham highlighted four bills which could have given Wales greater freedom to plow its own furrow.

Wide ranging new powers for Wales could have been granted:

Over policing (Policing and Crime Reduction Bill),

Over the Welsh language (Equalities Bill)

Over affordable homes, (Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill)

To create a minimum standard of service in the NHS (Health Bill). Now Wales will either have to adopt the English constitution or will have no constitution at all.

Ms Burnham added: "The Framework powers in the Marine Bill and the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill are welcome. But the government could have gone much further."