Independence on agenda for Wales
INDEPENDENCE for Wales will be one of the options for the future of Wales considered by an independent commission set up by the Welsh Government.
Academic, former Wales football international and WalesOnline columnist Professor Laura McAllister will co-chair the commission with former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.
The commission will be charged with assessing all options for Wales’ future including reforming the constitutional framework of the UK and considering “all progressive options to strengthen Welsh democracy”.
Welsh Labour had pledged to set up such a commission in its manifesto for the Senedd elections in May this year, something Welsh Government then committed to in June. The commission will seek views from the public as part of its work.
The remaining members of the commission will be confirmed next month.
Prof McAllister said: “Serious contributions to our constitutional debate are greatly needed and I’m looking forward to our work contributing to filling that space. We’ll think boldly and radically about all potential options for the future of Wales, in the context of the increasing pressure on the Union.”
Dr Rowan Williams, born in Swansea, was Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002-2012. He said: “This commission’s job is to ask what structures and constitutional provisions will best release the potential of Welsh communities and Welsh people.
“We want to make sure that the governance of Wales is effective, accountable and imaginative, and look forward to hearing what hopes and visions are animating people around the country.”
Plaid Cymru welcomed the commission. Rhys ab Owen MS said: “A Constitutional Commission is an opportunity to hold the most wideranging national conversation about Wales’ future in the history of devolution.
“We welcome Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Rowan Williams to post and wish them well in their roles as chairs.
“Plaid Cymru looks forward to engaging constructively with the commission and its work, making use of every opportunity it presents to make the case for independence and that our nation’s interests will be best served when decisions over Wales’ future are placed in Wales’ hands.”
However the Conservatives said it was a “waste of time”.
Darren Millar MS said: “People in Wales overwhelmingly rejected independence at the recent Senedd elections; and why the Welsh Labour Government would want to waste its time and resources discussing the topic is beyond me.
“Instead of prioritising discussions on independence and constitutional change, the Welsh Labour Government should be using the powers it already has to get to grips with the challenges facing Wales.
“Talking up independence and talking down the Union won’t do anything to address the waiting list backlog in our NHS, the months of lost education experienced by our young people, or the adverse impact of severe restrictions on our economy and society.”