So it looks like there will be a referendum in either October or March.
I’m still not entirely convinced of the wisdom of this course, as previously discussed. But if it going to happen then it needs to be won. In my view perhaps one of the most misleading points made by True Wales is that voting No will have no negative consequences. That somehow we’ll be able to carry on as before.
Irrespective whether you think a Yes vote will give the Assembly the tools it needs, it is certain that a No vote will be a damaging reverse in the devolution process.
We already know that Whitehall mandarins needs little excuse to sideline Welsh affairs. If there is a no vote within the next 12 months the slow and complicated system of law making will get even worse. Whitehall will feel emboldened and legitimised in frustrating the Assembly’s requests.
So the status quo is not an option. Forward or back, that’s the option. And lets not pretend otherwise.
Len Gibbs 4:33 pm on 3 February, 2010 Permalink
“the slow and complicated system of law making will get even worse”
Peter Hain and Hywel Francis say the opposite and assure us that the process is now working well.
“Whitehall will feel emboldened and legitimised in frustrating the Assembly’s requests.”
A point of view that has no immediate evidential basis. But then, we have to have something to say until we know exactly what, when and if and the question is defined.
Lee 9:44 pm on 3 February, 2010 Permalink
Perhaps you should read the evidence submitted to the Welsh Select Committee, or study the experience of the Environment LCO, or Welsh Language LCO, or the Mental Health LCO, or the Fire Sprinklers LCO.
I can see why you quote the above, I fear you are all indulging in an element of wishful thinking. The evidence is clear. The system is unnecessarily slow and long -winded, partly because of Whitehall indifference or obduracy. And a No vote will make it much worse