Scotland, Wales & the Calman Commission

Following the election of the SNP government at Holyrood and its commitment to holding an independence referendum, the unionist parties decided to establish the Calman Commission to consider further powers for Scotland short of independence. BBC Scotland political correspondent Brian Taylor has commented at length on the unionist commission's work.

It's possible implications for Wales are noted in the Western Mail today. The paper, once again, makes a very important inaccuracy, it refers to the Calman Commission as an 'independent body'. Nothing could be further from the truth, it is a body established by unionist parties with the express purpose of maintaining the union.

There will be important implication for Wales. The commission's work makes it almost certainty that there will be constitutional change in Scotland before 2011, whether that be independence or enhanced devolution. We cannot allow Wales to be left behind with less ability to promote economic development and better public services in our own country, while Scotland forges ahead.