Government of Wales Bill

It gives me great pleasure to speak on this Bill, as I know that it would have gladdened the heart of one of my predecessors: that great Welsh statesman, the right hon. James Griffiths, who, in the 1940s—way ahead of his parliamentary colleagues—was keen on recognising Wales as a separate political unit and on establishing a Wales Office. Eventually, he influenced opinion and was instrumental in devising Labour’s Welsh policy to that effect during the 1959 election. He pledged a future Government to the inclusion of a Secretary of State for Wales in the Cabinet, and to specifying the devolution of administration. When that future Government was eventually elected in 1964, Jim Griffiths became the first Secretary of State for Wales and set up the Wales Office in Cardiff and London. In the 1970s—again, he was ahead of his time—he favoured a democratically elected national assembly, but wanted Wales to remain an integral part of the UK and to be represented at the highest level in Cabinet by its own Secretary of State. Jim would have been proud to see this Bill, which reflects the growing confidence that people in Wales have in the Assembly Government. I look forward to the introduction of the Order in Council mechanism, which will enable legislative initiatives by the Assembly Government, within their spheres of competence, to be fast-tracked through our complicated Westminster procedures. The Bill enshrines in law the opportunity for a referendum on further devolution of powers, once there is a two-thirds majority in the Assembly and the approval of this place and the other place. That prepares the way for elected representatives here and in the Assembly to proceed with a referendum on further powers for the Assembly, if they feel that that reflects the mood of the people of Wales. It saddens me that some regional AMs have misused their position, and it is precisely because of that misuse that we need to bring in this legislation, which will prohibit candidates from standing both on the regional list and as constituency candidates. Regional AMs have a golden opportunity, without constituency responsibility, to take a much broader perspective—a regional or all-Wales view. Instead, some regional AMs use their time and resources to concentrate on one constituency to the detriment of the rest of their region. For example, one regional AM in a press release today describes herself as a Llanelli-based AM, and is bandying about comparative expenditure figures for Prince Philip hospital, in Llanelli, and for West Wales general hospital, in Carmarthen. She makes no mention of Withybush hospital, in Haverfordwest, or Bronglais hospital, in Aberystwyth, which are also in her region. Any regional AM worth her salt would not quote meaningless past figures out of context, but would look to the future impact of the impending review of NHS services on the whole of her region. It is not surprising that people will interpret that as blatant electioneering. Time after time, my constituents are amazed that the candidate who was defeated in the constituency election can be allowed to set herself up in this way. However, I find it incredible that the hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Jones) says that parties do not have enough quality candidates to field different candidates for constituency and list. What a sad state to be in. As for arguments that this reform is partisan, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State pointed out that it could have an equally negative effect on Labour Assembly Members. My friend and colleague, Catherine Thomas, Assembly Member for my constituency of Llanelli, has a majority of 21 votes. Under this reform, she will not have the option of standing for both the constituency and the list, unlike her predecessor, who on losing in the 2003 election, got in on the list. Catherine Thomas, like candidates from all parties, has had to make the choice for 2007. The hon. Member for Caernarfon (Hywel Williams) is right that even under this legislation regional Members could still choose to focus on one constituency, but they would not have actually lost an election, with the subsequent loss of credibility with the electorate, who often feel very angry about such situations. The Bill will not stop an existing list Member from standing for a constituency, and therefore it is absurd to refer to the change as partisan. The Bill recognises the way in which the Assembly is increasingly winning the confidence of the Welsh people and I know that if he were alive today, Jim Griffiths would join me in welcoming the enhanced powers and the more effective systems that will lead to the better delivery of services for the people of Wales.