The Welsh Devolution Debate
28 August 1997
New Rules Planned for Assembly Candidates
It has emerged today that the Labour Party is to bring in new rules for
selecting party candidates for a Welsh Assembly - assuming a Yes vote on
September 18. The Welsh party executive would draw up a panel of approved names - and only those on the panel would be allowed to stand for the Assembly.
In an attempt to encourage what he calls high calibre candidates to stand for a
Welsh Assembly, Secretary of State Ron Davies has talked of creating a new
political culture, with candidates selected on merit, not on the grounds of
long party service. The party conference has to approve these changes and although it is claimed the new procedure does not amount to political vetting, BBC Wales Political Editor Glyn Mathias says there will be some who will see it as a further extension of centralised control over the party.
CBI Takes Neutral Stance
The CBI in Wales has published its response to the Government's proposals for
Welsh devolution.
The report welcomes the White Paper's emphasis on the importance of business
views in the legislative process, but expresses reservations about costs.
In contrast to its anti-devolution stand during the 1979 referendum debate,
CBI Wales, while still lukewarm on the proposals for devolution, has distanced
itself from the current No campaign.
No Campaign on Valleys Tour
The Just Say No campaign has been touring the South Wales valleys in an open-top bus.
Spokesperson Carys Pugh said the tour was "just the ticket to encourage people to vote 'No' on September 18".
Liberal Democrats Launch Yes Campaign
The Welsh Liberal Democrats launched their campaign for a Yes vote in the Referendum. They said Wales had an historic opportunity to set up its own Assembly - even though the party wants a Welsh parliament with stronger powers than are being offered by the Government.
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