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Over to you Ieuan

Posted by Tom Bodden on July 6, 2007 8:47 PM | 

RHODRI Morgan secured an emphatic endorsement by Welsh Labour of an Assembly coalition with arch political rivals Plaid Cymru.
The voting at a special conference in Cardiff was 95.8% in favour among unions and affiliated groups, and 61% in favour among party branches.
Plaid's national council votes on the deal in Ceredigion on Saturday.
Some Labour MPs were leaving the Cardiff International Arena in a sour mood.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain gave a neat summation: "This is not a vote for nationalism. This is not a vote for independence. It's a vote to keep Welsh Labour at the heart of government."
But Plaid MP Adam Price had a dfferent view: "It was a declaration of independence from the Welsh Labour Party from London."

The first minister took on the might of the party to force through the agreement despite high profile opposition, voiced by former leader Neil Kinnock, ex-Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, and a majority of Welsh Labour MPs.
But both the Labour grassroots and trade unions overwhelmingly backed the deal, which could now deliver a referendum on full Scottish-style law-making powers for the Assembly by 2011.
The One Wales agreement commits both parties to campaigning for a Yes vote in a referendum if public opinion swings behind the poll.
A delighted Mr Morgan, who staked his political career on the deal, emerged from three hours of ‘passionate debate’ behind closed doors at the Cardiff International arena.
He said: “I am very pleased that both wings of the party have voted in the same direction, that gives a very good indication that the party will now unite behind this overwhelming vote.”
Mr Morgan insisted that the contentious question of a referendum would be enacted in ‘good faith’, while ‘testing the waters of Welsh opinion’.
But anti-deal MPs leaving the special conference were adamant that there would be no referendum for a ‘very, very long time.
Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells, Pontypridd MP, said: "It's a dismal document. It's a document I could have written as a trade unionist in 1978.
"I don't think there is going to be a referendum for a very, very long time."
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant: "I don't think we will see a referendum on law-making pwers in the near future."
Former Welsh Secretary and Torfaen MP Paul Murphy: "A referendum in the next four years is unlikely.Thepeople of Wales wouldn't want tosee such a referendm untilthey see the present powers given to the Assembly are properly used."
Ynys Mon MP Albert Owen: "Things have changed dramatically over the last few weeks.It was a lively and passionate conference and passions were running high on both sides of the argument.
"I am sure those in North Wales have experience of working with Plaid Cymru. I don't think there's an appetite of stomach for a referendum in Wales."
Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant: "It was a good conference and we all goout as a united party.While we agree todiffer, it's important it is aken forward for the people of Wales."
The first minister Rhodri Morgan said he would act in 'good faith' on the question of a referendum and prepare the groundwork 'at the same time testing the waters of Welsh opinion.
Mr Hain added that a referendum would be held 'when the conditions are right'. "There has to be a strong cross-party consensus and public opinion has to be in place to vote Yes."
Prime minister Gordon Brown was 'well appraised' of the situation and knows what Rhodri is trying to achieve and will respect the conference decision'.


 

Comments (1)

Anonymous wrote...

There are shadows here of Labour's slight of hand in coalition with the Liberal Democrats in 2000-03.
The independent Richard Commission which urged further powers for the Assembly cost £1m and it's recommendations are gathering dust in the archives.
Just so the Sunderland commission which recommended PR in local government elections in Wales, equally hated among Labour ranks.
Plaid should beware the bearers of gifts.

Posted by: Anonymous  | July 7, 2007 11:43 AM

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Welcome to ‘Gog in the Bay’, the occasional diary of a political journalist. My name is Tom Bodden, the Welsh Affairs Correspondent of The Daily Post, which is North Wales’ best selling newspaper. I am based full-time at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff Bay.

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