Rags v Rainbow
So the Red and Green Synthesis document (RAGS) is approved. Some thoughts on that.
All appears surface calm with Labour passing the One Wales document at their meeting on Friday night, but beneath the surface I suspect everything is far less serene. The union vote, predictably, was massively in favour but then we all remember the Alun Michael episode on that one! The constituency vote was clearly far closer and many people seemed to be approving the deal through clenched teeth. The Labour Party did what they had to do.
Certainly Plaid Cymru seemed happier at their meeting in Pontrhydfendigaid on Saturday. They only had one document to consider, however, and the position may have been very different had the ‘rags’ and the ‘rainbow’ documents both been up for discussion.
I know Plaid Cymru was concerned about the stability of the Liberal Democrats in any coalition, and certainly the Liberal Democrats have appeared faltering and uncertain at key moments, but at the same time it has to be remembered that there was a document, the All Wales Accord, that was agreed by three party groups and their Leaders which could have put Plaid at the head of the government, and when it came to it Plaid didn’t walk up to the plate.
I have read the One Wales document and there is much in it that I disagree with, although clearly there are policies there that I like, not least our own policy of council tax discounts for pensioners which has found its way in there somehow.
I am intrigued by a policy on page 37 of the document where the two parties commit themselves to creating ‘more fun’. I have visions of Jane Davidson, Helen Mary Jones and Carl Sergeant in Plenary session with pig’s bladders on the end of sticks, compulsory fun becoming part of the national curriculum and Fun Checks by the Fun Police at the Severn Bridge. What can they mean by this commitment to create more fun. Why haven’t they promised better weather as well – this is a subject sadly neglected in the ‘rags’ document.
Key to the document appears to be the section on the referendum which is woolly and vague. It remains unclear what would happen if there were a resolution in the Assembly for a referendum, and this then passed up to Westminster. The Westminster parties are not privy to this deal and there would be no obligation to grant the referendum, indeed, there appears to be a let out clause in the document itself that states – the need to assess the levels of support for full law making powers necessary to trigger the referendum.
Interesting times clearly lie ahead!
