Wales needs debate on "devo-max" powers
The Green Party in Wales has responded to the ongoing public debate over Scottish independence by calling for a discussion of further extending self-Government to Wales.
Pippa Bartolotti, recently elected leader of Wales Green Party said:
"It's clear that people in Wales now want the Assembly to be the level of Government with most control over issues affecting Wales, expressed in the landslide ‘yes' vote in last year's referendum on further powers for the Assembly.
"But even with the new powers approved in 2011 the Assembly is still very constrained compared to Scotland and does not have the same scope to mitigate the appalling damage being inflicted on our country by the Tories and Lib Dems in Westminster. "
She continued by insisting that Scotland should choose the timetable for any independence referendum:
"We express our full solidarity with Scotland over their right to self determination and their right to decide the timing of any referendum free from Westminster interference. Surely the Scottish Government has more of a mandate for this that a party with one MP in Scotland? The people of Wales have long memories, and are watching this debate closely.
"If Scotland does become independent it will have dramatic consequences for Wales and its place within the UK, and this is something that must be discussed without delay. We think that Wales should in time have a referendum on ‘devo-max', similar to the proposed 3rd option in Scotland, where almost all power is devolved but stops short of full independence.
"The Welsh Assembly is best placed to decide our future here in Wales, and with an increasingly malevolent Government in Westminster targeting the poor and vulnerable, it is essential that Wales has the powers to forge an alternative, fairer future."
ENDS
For more information contact press@walesgreenparty.org.uk or 07590008249
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