The right-wing Tory group on Newport council has unanimously resolved that they will not support further powers for the National Assembly. Apparently, "they have asked regional AM Mohammad Asghar to convey the news to Assembly group leader Nick Bourne".
Mohammed Asghar AM, December 1st 2009- "I was particularly pleased that he (the Secretary of State for Wales) asserted that he would not block any resolution by this Assembly that would trigger a referendum under the provisions of the Government of Wales Act 2006."
Asghar, just two months ago- "The Crime and Security Bill is, in my view, another wasted opportunity and another example of why the Assembly should have criminal justice powers."
The Tories on Newport Council might not find Asghar willing to let Nick Bourne know about their devoscepticism. A party that can't even win the loyalty its own councillors does not have the right to grandstand over the referendum date.
Gutlesss
1 hour ago
Posts
3 comments:
This reflects very badly on Plaid.
How long was this guy a member, before you let him and his daughter stand?
The electorate should not trust Plaid candidates.
well lets hope 'oscar' has enough political conviction left - always assuming that he ever had any - that he is able to stick to the beliefs on more powers he was espousing only two months ago!
On the issue of the tory stance on ruling out of may 5th 2011 as a referendum date i feel bound to ask how on earth did the coalition contrive to get itself into the ludicrous situation where support for the 'trigger vote' is not guaranteed???
There is virtual unanimity in the assembly on staging a referendum on further powers..the only dispute being over the scheduling of the referendum.
It goes without saying that no one who wants to win the referendum on more powers for the assembly could possibly want it to be held on the same days as the next assembly elections. To hold the referendum on that date would be disastrous and make an effective and united Yes campaign an impossibility - on the latter point at least the lib dems are correct!
And while I do understand why the coalition are reluctant to box themselves in on identifying a specific date for the referendum to be held - in view of the possibility of a hung westminister parliament and a further election in october - i still see no sensible reason why may 5th has not been ruled out, and the tories and lib dems given the assurance on the date they are asking for!
As surely no one in the coalition is either mad enough or stupid enough to imagine they could win the referendum if it is held on the same day as the next assembly elections?
Leigh Richards
swansea.
Anon 9:20, don't know how long he was a member but it might have been several years before he became an AM, as he was a councillor first. Presumably, he would've been elected as a Plaid councillor in 2004 then as an AM in 2007, so it isn't as if he just walked in to it.
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