Future of the assembly

icWales has Lack of significant new powers for AMs 'a betrayal':

LABOUR has been accused of "betrayal" after it emerged the National Assembly will not get significant new powers from Westminster in the long-awaited devolution White Paper unless a case can be made for a second referendum.

Wales Office Minister Nick Ainger has suggested the White Paper will outline plans for fast-track Welsh legislation at Westminster rather than the hand-over of primary law-making powers to the Assembly.

A more conciliatory tone further down in the article:

With Welsh Labour unable to resolve fierce internal opposition to devolution, the Wales Office compromise would leave Cardiff still reliant on Westminster but would clear some of the legislative log jam which has been caused by only one or two Wales-only Bills being introduced in Parliament each year.

And what it all really means:

Mr Ainger said the White Paper offered a "trigger" for the next stage of devolution without the need for another Government of Wales Bill but said he believed public demand for such a move was a long way off.

Mr Ainger said, "If the people of Wales want greater powers we are providing the vehicle for them to do that but I don't think at this stage there is that demand for full legislative powers or for a referendum for that but we are providing a vehicle for them."

It's a good read and worthy of further thought, which is exactly what Peter Black has. Speaking of referendums there is an interesting post by Third Avenue on The Sharpener that looks at the recent fondness for them, though from an EU perspective.