Comments on: Beware the entitlement to rule

By: Hendre

Hendre — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:35:07 +0000

It could be argued that the powers of the Asssembly can be as much about not doing things as doing things. Take, for example, New Labour’s latest wheeze in the field of education, namely providing enforceable entitlements to standards of education. While it may sound a good idea on paper it has many ramifications for the relationship and balance of power between teachers, schools and parents. Thanks to devolution we can look at the policy and decide whether or not it’s the right one for Welsh schools.

By: Howell Morgan

Howell Morgan — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:31:29 +0000

The reason True Wales exists is because there is a complete absence of any opposition to more powers from within any of the major parties in Wales. If we said that there is approximate 30% of welsh people who are asked the questions on this issue and seemingly opposed to “more powers”whilst not one major (in terms of wales) politician has come out against more powers. As i have said elsewhere Plaid Cymru and the rhodri Morgan types in Labour have been on about “more powers” since the inception of Assembly in 1999,and even if they get more powers now,within a year they’ll be “at it” again,until they reach their desination of an independant wales. As Mao said “The long march started with one step” and we are on our way unless there are strict limitations put inplace,and also much more healthy debates amongst the “elite”and ordinary people like myself. As Jeff Jones stated the report published by AWC has not even registered with 95% of welsh people as their concerns are about economy etc etc,and not the concerns of executives in BBC Wales/S4C who can see huge advancement of careers and huge salaries (taxi expenses) if the Assembly grows and grows in powers.In conclusion everybody wishes to see better management of public services and as Reagan said “A bigger bang for your buck” and therefore what laws would the Assembly currently put in place if it had the power,or are we being asked to vote for a pig in a poke?.

By: eddie

eddie — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:22:36 +0000

True Wales are the only ones telling the truth, the yes camp are politically naive and threaten the existence the UK, more powers will move Wales to where Scotland is now, on verge of independence. The level of abuse thrown at true Wales reveals the true nature and extremist actions and views of the yes camp.

By: Illtyd Luke

Illtyd Luke — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:23:45 +0000

Financier,

Less conspiracy theories please and more debate of what’s actually on the table.

A Yes vote= obtaining law-making powers in the devolved policy fields instantly.

A No vote= obtaining those powers bit by bit by asking Westminster…i.e what we have now.

Nothing more, nothing less. The financial results have already been talked about elsewhere, I think the cost of acquiring the powers all at once was virtually zero according to Sir Emyr.

By: Duncan Higgitt

Duncan Higgitt — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:49:27 +0000

Penddu,

Absolutely agree that the Yes campaign must be based on selling the benefits. It shouldn’t even focus on more rapid legislation but on the legislation programme that will follow. It needs to be promoting those Welsh policy plans that were devised in Wales, and it needs to ask a simple question – where do you want your decisions made? In Wales or in Westminster.

However, I totally disagree with dirty tricks. This can be fought and won fairly.

By: penddu

penddu — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:14:25 +0000

The problem with True Wales is that they are sticking to a simple message – however false – and it is a message that people can identify with. Mud sticks.

And they can afford to lie quite blatantly as they are not backed by any parties or any big political names with careers to build. They have nothing to lose.

The Yes campaign cannot sink to their level, but at the same time we must recognise that we need to convey a simpler message, and not confuse people with arcane explainations of the LCO process and part 4 schedules etc. Keep it simple.

And while the official Yes campaign can not be seen to be involved in dirty tricks, there is no reason why individual supporters should not get their hands dirty. Get stuck in!

By: patrick mcguinness

patrick mcguinness — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:42:42 +0000

Financier writes: “Because that is just a staging post to an eventual destination – which is envisaged and defined by many as “independence.””

A statement that perfectly provides a perfect example of the mix of misinformation and outright untruth that Daran warns against.

Sadly there’ll be plenty more of it, so we’d better get used to it.

By: Daran Hill

Daran Hill — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:01:12 +0000

“Plaid Cymru may envisage an eventual destination of independence from this referendum but no-one else does. Since when has Plaid Cymru been the ‘many’?”

And not every Plaid voter either – 10% of population actually.

I am one of the many who believes in greater devolution, but not independence.

Conflating different positions is exactly what this article says the No campaign will do. Don’t fall for it

By: Hendre

Hendre — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:02:14 +0000

Financier,

Plaid Cymru may envisage an eventual destination of independence from this referendum but no-one else does. Since when has Plaid Cymru been the ‘many’?

Should Part 4 come into force, the Assembly would still have less powers than the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Scottish Parliament. I fail to see any logic in retaining a weaker settlement in Wales as a means of securing the union. You mention turning back but as the likelihood of the Scottish or Northern Ireland settlements being dismantled is virtually nil what is achieved by dismantling the Welsh one?

By: Michael Cridland

Michael Cridland — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:53 +0000

How many people read the local newspapers (for me the Echo and WM). How many people in Wales have even heard of True Wales?