Plaid Cymru AM and Deputy Group leader, Helen Mary Jones has welcomed the Secretary of State’s confirmation that the Referendum on further powers for Wales will be able to take place next March. Labelling the news as another example of Plaid having led the agenda and delivering for Wales, Ms Jones said that the referendum will be about a lot more than constitutional change.
She explained that it’s about creating an Assembly that can make a real difference to the people of Wales and their standard of living.
The Plaid AM made her comments following a statement from the Secretary of State for Wales which paved the way for a referendum to take place before the next Assembly election.
Plaid AM and Deputy group leader, Helen Mary Jones said:
“When Plaid Cymru went into government we made in clear that because the current legislative system lets the people of Wales down it is not acceptable. It’s an expensive use of tax payers’ money, it’s time consuming and responsibilities are not clear. We made it a priority to get a referendum to clear this mess up before the end of this Assembly term, and of course I am pleased that this will be delivered.
“There are specific legislative examples of why the Assembly should have primary law-making powers over devolved matters – the demeaning and humiliating affront to the people of Wales of the current system has been evident throughout the progress of the Housing LCO. On that occasion, the Welsh Government sought powers to legislate on the vital matters of affordable homes and tackling homelessness. There was cross party support for this in the Assembly. Yet two years after initiating the process, the law is yet to pass because of disagreements about it in London. Legislation to help carers is another example. Getting new legislation to ensure that Carers get the help and support they need was another issue that received cross party support. And yet carers are still waiting after two years to get the well deserved help and support that they are entitled to.
“Beyond these practicalities it is also a crucial matter of principle. That principle is that the people of Wales democratically elect their National Assembly, and in turn that National Assembly has the right to legislate on matters affecting Welsh communities. This is about the need to get a system that cuts out waste, both in terms of time and money, and enables the Welsh government to respond to the needs of the communities it serves.
“Plaid welcomes today’s announcement as a logical step to fulfil the constitutional desires of the people of Wales.”
