The Plaid Cymru group in the National Assembly has called on the new Secretary of State for Wales to take immediate action to ensure that an October Referendum remains a possibility. In support of the One Wales government’s request for the preparatory work to be completed in time for an October poll, the Plaid group believes that there should be no reason for the date to be discounted if the political will exists to ensure it can happen.
The chair of the Plaid Cymru group Dr Dai Lloyd said that in the interests of democracy and the new so-called “power revolution” the UK government should do all it can to facilitate an autumn referendum. Dr Lloyd said that there should be no reason why the order to hold a referendum could not be laid in good time if the Privy Council would meet later than is currently scheduled in July, in order to approve the referendum. He said that with sufficient political will and flexibility by the Privy Council, an October poll can be achieved.
The Chair of the Plaid Cymru group in the National Assembly and AM for South Wales West, Dr Dai Lloyd said:
“At the end of a period of political uncertainty, the new government in Westminster must now refocus on the legitimate bid that Wales’ National Assembly has unanimously made for a referendum to be held. This should not be a matter for political games or point scoring – after all, we’re talking about the Welsh government’s ability to conduct its business in an efficient and effective way. This is what has been promised in the One Wales agreement – a promise that we intend to keep.
“Clearly time is tight with regard to an October referendum, but the fact is that the arrangements are dependent now, upon what they have been dependent all along. That is the political will to get the job done. On accepting the position of Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan is the one who has now also accepted the responsibility for ensuring that the democratic will of the National Assembly is respected and that the preferred date of all parties in October remains a possibility.
“The new government in Westminster has come to power claiming to be a reforming force in the UK parliament. With that in mind, surely it should not be beyond the capabilities of the new Secretary of State for Wales to ensure that the Privy Council adapts its plans to enable this to go ahead.”
