Welsh parties discuss new devolution settlement

10 Dec 14
Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb has convened cross-party talks in Cardiff that are intended to lead to an agreed devolution plan for the principality by next March.

By Richard Johnstone | 10 December 2014 

Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb has convened cross-party talks in Cardiff that are intended to lead to an agreed devolution plan for the principality by next March.

The talks, which were held at the Welsh Government’s offices on Wednesday between the country’s four main political parties, considered what powers should be devolved in order to boost jobs, the economy and public services.

Last month, Crabb said that the Westminster government wanted to reach agreement on devolved powers by St David’s Day on March 1 next year. This is intended to increase the powers of the Welsh Assembly in response to the Smith Commission plans to devolve additional fiscal responsibilities to the Scottish Parliament.

Speaking after the talks, Crabb said he wanted this process to end the debate over which powers should be devolved to Wales to instead focus on the issues of economic growth and improving services.

‘That’s why I’m working to secure a cross-party consensus to identify the issues that we can agree on so we can reach a broad agreement on the best way forward for Welsh devolution,’ he added.

The meeting discussed a range of issues with assembly leaders, including the recommendations in the second Silk Report, with first minister and Labour leader Carwyn Jones, Conservative chief Andrew R T Davies, Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams and Leanne Wood of Plaid Cymru.


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