I think that I
also understand the political differences about the content of the bill. Pro-devolutionists are seeking a clearer
definition of the reserved powers model which does not take any powers back
from Wales, and the instinctive anti-devolutionists, largely amongst the
Tories, are trying to find a way of honouring previous commitments with minimum
change. (Speaking personally, when the
proponents of the bill talk about giving the Assembly power to change its name
as one of the main changes, it simply makes me deeply sceptical about whether
the changes are worth the effort.)
What I find
much harder to understand is the political statements being made around the
bill.
For reasons
which escape me completely, the First Minister is arguing that this is rushing
things through. But if he thinks that a
two and a half year timetable for something which has been long discussed is a
rush, I hate to think what slow might look like.
The Secretary
of State’s position is no more logical.
He won’t delay it because that would merely allow Labour to make an
issue of it in the run up to next year’s Assembly elections. So publishing a draft in October, and a final
version in February with the legislation therefore under discussion one way
another for the whole period between now and next May’s Assembly elections
means that it won’t be an issue?
What should
have been an opportunity to put the clarity of a reserved powers model in place
of the often vague definitions which currently exist has become just another
front in the yah boo politics of Labour and the Tories. I suppose we should never have expected
anything else.
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