Government of Wales Bill

The amendments tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, South (Mr. Jones) and I arise out of recommendations made by the Welsh Affairs Committee, which I chair, and they enjoy broad cross-party support. The amendments deal with the possibility of subsequent referendums on the granting of primary legislative powers to the National Assembly. The Bill allows for a final stage of devolution, whereby the Assembly would become a fully functioning Parliament with primary legislative powers. I agree with the Government that a referendum of the people of Wales is necessary before that stage is reached, in order to achieve proper democratic legitimacy. However, should a referendum not deliver a decision in favour of giving such powers, it would be wrong for a series of subsequent referendums to be held until one of them delivered the desired yes result. I, along with many other Members, believe that such an exercise would diminish the democratic process.