The Slippery Slope

I have been considering for the last two weeks my blog response to the Yes vote at the recent Welsh referendum. As you may know, and despite my general criticism of devolution the 'process', my primary concern in the run up to the vote was the one sidedness of the debate. That no political party or media organisation was against the proposition, seriously undermined the nature of the debate and thus the outcome of the vote itself.

Nonetheless since the result was announced, (Overall, 63.49% voted 'yes', and 36.51% voted 'no'. The overall turnout was 35.2%) it has been interesting to watch the political response. Particularly when keeping in mind the 'debate' held before the vote. As it happens Diane Banner, Secretary of the True Wales No Campaign, has written a letter in today's Western Mail which sums it up rather succinctly.

"Sir, I write on behalf of the True Wales Steering Committee to express a warm thank you to the almost 300,000 people who voted No in the referendum and to all those who campaigned to help us fight for the best in Wales.

In the space of just one week following the poll, the UK Government has announced a commission to consider income tax and borrowing powers for the Assembly, a Liberal peer has called for another 20 AMs, and Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis Thomas has argued for the abolition of the Wales Office and of our position at the UK Cabinet table. A Commons Committee has called for a review as to the merging of the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Offices.

Despite Yes camp claims that the vote was merely a 'tidying up exercise' on law-making power, most politicians now herald it as a fundamental constitutional change. The momentum is now for a step-by-step process over time to the separation from the UK.

Nevertheless, we are determined to fight on to ensure that Wales maintains its position within the UK and to hold the Assembly politicians, with their significant new power, to their pledge to make 'no more excuses' for failure"

Certainly none of these developments were discussed before the vote, and the Yes camp, including politicians and the media, have now claimed a huge mandate on the back of a referendum vote where only one in five of the electorate supported their motion.

Wake up Wales, the later a proper debate is had, the further the 'process' of devolution will have progressed without your consent.

If you would like to comment on this post, please click 'comments' below.