Written comments to the Richard Commission

From Gerallt Huws (member of the public)

Date: 26.08.03

When establishing the Assembly, great improvements were expected in the living standards and personal circumstances of the people of Wales. Unfortunately, the Assembly has failed its people!  Furthermore, there is no indication that this pitiful situation is going to change in the future.

Indeed, Mr Rhodri Morgan, in a speech in the Societies Tent in Meifod (5/8/03), noted that, in the Assembly’s first term, the administration had achieved:

• Free milk for children;
• Free prescriptions for young people under 25;
• Free entry to galleries and museums;
• Permitting free travel on buses for the elderly.

Not much to show from four years’ existence.

I currently believe that the Assembly does not have real power to improve the living standards of the people of Wales, i.e. it does not have Primary/Legislative powers which can revolutionize and strengthen its economy and its society, for the benefit of Wales and her people in the long term.

Indeed, those powers which deal directly with the economy, i.e. monetary and financial policies, must be immediately transferred to the Assembly. Because, here are the policies which, in fact, create real wealth, work which could, as a result, increase our country’s Gross Domestic Product. Indeed, if Wales is to prosper economically and culturally, the Assembly must posses more of this authority/responsibilities.

(It must be remembered that the economic/social situation and conditions of Wales and the other British countries are not comparable).

As well as this, with the secondary powers which currently exist, I believe that the Assembly does not have the right to decide on and implement policies for the people/benefit of Wales on issues such as ‘broadcasting and telecommunications’:

• Digital broadcasting – Because of the disagreement between the BBC and Sky, not many viewers in Wales will be able to receive ‘free to view’ channels before long, unless they subscribe to the expensive packages of the commercial company Sky. (While these channels are free in the rest of Britain with a normal aerial).

Additionally, the BBC ‘Freeview’ system/service is not available here in North West Wales, so again it is not possible to receive ‘free to view’ channels.

In the case of the above examples, it is the Westminster government which controls/authorizes these affairs – in reality, the Assembly has no influence/direct power, and so it is powerless.

• Telecommunications etc.

In the case of recent changes in the world of telecommunications, i.e. as is seen with OFTEL encouraging more competition from the Directory Enquiries service, the Assembly had no power to instruct OFTEL in order to ensure that these new companies also offer this service in Welsh.

In addition to this list, you can add: transport, electricity, gas, railways organisations/areas etc.

i.e. The Assembly has no direct authority/power to influence these organisations, apart from superficial and meaningless changes, and so the interests/rights/benefit of the people of Wales cannot be protected.

Also, with regard to the Assembly’s current powers, consideration must be given to whether they are fairly implemented?

Because, I believe that they are being used to facilitate policies which favour a few voters/areas which have been specifically denoted by the Labour Party, at the expense of the rest of Wales.

i.e. They favour the regions of the South/South East and the ‘Valleys’;

Indeed, as Martin Shipton wrote in the Western Mail:

"Labour also won because of factors like the hugely popular free bus-pass scheme for pensioners and its promises like free prescriptions and free breakfasts for primary schoolchildren, that played particularly well with low-income families in key target seats". (Source: W. Mail Page 1 – 3/5/2003)

Despite this, what is appalling is the fact that the Assembly has some powers which could be used to promote the interests of the people of Wales.

e.g. Control of planning in the housing market, to ensure ‘affordable homes’ for young people in the countryside/Welsh-speaking areas, preventing some rich people from outside from buying second homes/summer homes.

Indeed, I understand that various rural authorities in England operate similar positive policies successfully, i.e. Cornwall, the Lake District and the New Forest.

Unfortunately, the Assembly has refused to authorize a similar scheme of its kind by the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority.

In addition to this, I understand that no additional funding has been set aside by the Assembly for the ‘Home Buy Option’, which offers loans to low-income families to help them buy a house in their own area.

Increasingly, the Assembly and the group which is in power is seen as using its powers to promote the interests of its supporters at the expense of the rest.

• Closing schools in rural /Welsh areas.
• Refusing to support the Welsh language both practically and politically.
• Refusing to financially promote and support bilingual education/system.
• Lack of commitment and effort to attract/retain industry and establish indigenous businesses outside Glamorgan and Gwent.

From seeing the Welsh language/the culture and the Welsh areas dying, and the settlers moving in from Cardiff and other places in Britain, we see as a result the Labour Party strengthening its power and strength within the Assembly.

Indeed, the Assembly leader responded to the criticism from some of the members of the ‘Cymuned’ organisation of the Assembly’s policies towards the Welsh language and Welsh affairs by saying:

"There were only a few people and they have different priorities to the government."

The Assembly’s powers must be used fairly/justly, for the benefit of every person in Wales, and not for one specific group of voters/supporters.

When mentioning the implementation of powers, I am worried about the strong influence which the Labour Party in Westminster has on the Labour Party here in Wales. Because of this, we see similar policies consistently being adopted and implemented in the same specific period of time. Are there pressures to conform with London? Also, we must consider the influence/power of the Civil Service in London on their colleagues here in Wales. Does London want devolution to succeed?

THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM

The current system of proportional representation is to be welcomed, because the possibility with any other option, of seeing the party in power ruling indefinitely, and possibly misusing its power discriminately.

However, it seems that the electoral system in Scotland appears to represent the electorate in a more comprehensive and just way.

Also, I would like to see a change in the attitude of some of the Assembly’s leaders towards the ‘low turnout’ problem in elections. Because, in the Assembly elections in May 2003, the question was asked to the Labour Party leader whether he was concerned that voters wouldn’t be voting in the Election. His answer was, fine, as long as it meant that his party would be re-elected to govern again.

A very disappointing attitude, as we try to promote democracy here in Wales.

Very interestingly, following this election, as he tried to explain why many people didn’t vote in the election, he said:

"People think that they are electing a consultative committee rather than a government". (Source: BBC Online – 5/08/03)

Many Welsh citizens would agree with this view, Mr Rhodri Morgan.

I also believe that more Assembly members should attend ‘regional’ meetings more often. Indeed, I understand that the attendance of some members has been appalling in the past.

To conclude, Wales should welcome and defend the Assembly as an institution which protects our interests and our future. However, unfortunately, as I have already mentioned, it has failed Wales, because it does not have sufficient and appropriate powers/authority to achieve its objectives. Also, the weak powers possessed by the Assembly have not been implemented/used for the benefit of the whole of Wales.

I hope that the recommendations of the Richard Commission change this.

Gerallt Huws