Government of Wales Bill

I, too, pay tribute to Merlyn Rees and Tony Banks, two people whose company I thoroughly enjoyed. Both were passionate men. Merlyn Rees was passionate about his country, Wales, and when we talked, he always made reference to Anglesey. In Tony Banks, we had a passionate football supporter, who always ridiculed me about football, although I am a proud Evertonian. We always had a laugh and a joke about it. Both gentlemen will be sadly missed. I have already welcomed the shadow Secretary of State to her position, although I am disappointed that she has tabled a reasoned amendment. I see no reason for it. She says—I think she contradicts herself in this—that she will support Second Reading, so let us have a proper, mature debate in Committee about the issues that have been raised. We have plenty of time to do it. The hon. Lady even said she would support the programme motion, so it would be more reasonable for her to join us in the Lobby tonight, instead of pressing an unreasonable amendment. I welcome the Bill in its entirety as a positive step towards devolution. I believe in devolution. I always have. Like my hon. Friend the Member for Aberavon (Dr. Francis), I have passionately supported it for many years. In 1997, I and many Members put forward what we believed to be the best for Wales and there was a narrow margin in favour. Things have moved on and the Bill reflects that, which is why I am proud to support it. The Opposition have made remarks about gerrymandering, but not one of them has said how the Bill would benefit the Labour party. It does not. The leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh Assembly has said that the proposal to change the electoral system is rigged in favour of the Labour party, but I argue that the current system is already rigged in favour of parties such as the Conservative party. Two wrongs do not make a right, so let us debate the matter maturely. If the Conservative party is serious about fairness, let us change the system and make it fairer.