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The Welsh Devolution Debate
8 September 1997
Campaigning Resumes In The Run-Up To The Referendum
Labour MP To Vote "No"
Veteran Labour MP Sir Ray Powell has announced he will vote against the Welsh Assembly in the referendum on Thursday 18th September. The Ogmore MP called his party's proposals "a series of poorly thought out promises, which can be broken at any time." Sir Ray - the first Labour MP to say outright he will vote against the plans - says he's unhappy that one third of the assembly's members would be elected by proportional representation and he accused his party of breaking its election promise to "make a bonfire" of the quangos.
The quango issue was taken up in criticism by the Labour MP for Llanelli, Denzil Davies. He said Labour had broken its promise on rolling back the quango state. According to Mr Davies, the Assembly would sit "side by side" with the quangos, with no direct powers to abolish the non-elected government agencies.
Welsh Secretary Ron Davies refuted the criticisms, saying Sir Ray was elected on the basis of Labour's commitment to an Assembly. Mr Davies gave his response as he launched the final phase of the Labour devolution campaign, making ten pledges for an Assembly which he said would create a brighter future for Wales, with more jobs,
better schools and a better health service.
Hague Visit
Conservative leader William Hague flew into Cardiff International Airport to bolster the No vote, saying he would defend Wales for the rest of his life and would fight all the way against devolution plans. Tonight, Mr Hague will again warn a meeting of business people in Cardiff that Labour's plans for an Assembly threaten the future prosperity and stability of Wales.
Yes & No Launches
The Yes For Wales campaign launched a Pensioners Say Yes group in Swansea and a Yes Shop in Caernarfon. Attorney General John Morris MP helped launch a Lawyers Say Yes group in Cardiff.
The Just Say No campaign launched its main campaign leaflet in Swansea, with a million copies being printed for distribution across Wales. Local councillor Gareth Ellis launched the Ceredigion Just Say No group in Aberystwyth.
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