THERE have been many myths surrounding next month’s referendum on the powers of the National Assembly for Wales.
Understandably, many people have found the arguments all quite confusing, if they know anything about them at all.
But I believe that when the bare facts about the referendum are laid out, the case is clear: we need a ‘Yes’ for Wales on March 3.
Firstly to mention some of those myths. The referendum is not about expanding the policy areas over which the Assembly has control.
It currently has power in twenty areas of policy, such as health, education and the environment. A ‘yes’ vote will not add to these.
So arguments about tax-raising powers or any other policy area that is currently the responsibility of the UK Parliament are complete red-herrings. Policy areas like taxation will, quite rightly, continue to be dealt with at Westminster, whatever the result.
Neither is this referendum about independence. I’m a proud Welshman but I’m also proud to be part of the United Kingdom. This referendum will not in any way endanger Wales’ position within the Union.
Finally, the referendum is not about creating extra Assembly Members or giving Assembly Members a pay rise! There will still only be sixty Assembly Members whatever the result and their pay will not change.
That’s what the referendum is not about. So what is it about?
At the moment, the Welsh Assembly makes important decisions in the areas it has responsibility for, but in most cases, cannot change the law. Unlike Scotland and Northern Ireland, which can make laws that affect their countries, Wales has to ask Westminster for permission to make laws.
This process of “asking permission” costs Wales £2 million annually and often takes years. That’s before the Assembly starts actually making the law itself. A ‘yes’ vote will mean this money can be saved and the Assembly can be more responsive to the needs of Wales as they arise.
After 12 years of devolution, the Assembly is more than prepared to take on the responsibility of legislating for Wales in the areas it has power in. Legislation and scrutiny are complex processes but the Assembly as an institution is now mature enough to take these roles on. Our colleagues in Scotland and Northern Ireland have been able to do this, so why should Wales be any different?
A ‘yes’ vote will give the National Assembly for Wales the proper tools it needs to do the job. That’s not to say the Welsh Assembly Government will always get it right.
The policies it pursues come from the manifestos of the political parties in the Welsh Government, something we will get to vote on in the Assembly Elections come May. But while a better law-making process will not necessarily help bad policies, the current, inefficient process can certainly hinder good policies.
That’s why I’m backing a ‘yes’ for Wales on March 3.