Nit-pickers convention: Wales’s very own House of Lords

THE FARCE that is resulting from Westminster demanding that it allowed to fine-tune any legislation that Cardiff wants to pass clearly annoys Kirsty Williams, the Welsh Lib Dem leader.

At her weekly briefing she raised the example of two LCOs (legislative consultative orders) where London has demanded major changes – housing and the Welsh language.

After expressing her strong opposition to the interference and demanding a Scottish-style settlement for Wales, Ms Williams then raised the possibility that Cardiff was being forced by London into passing an Elco (ie LCO) that would lead to the language LOSING some of the rights it has possessed for years.

The current problem is apparently being caused by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain – the same man who last week argued at length that the successes of the current devolution Act were a “big secret”.

The Commons is currently acting as a House of Lords to the Assembly. Which means that the Welsh House of Lords has in fact pointed out a few minor problems to Cardiff legislation.

Exactly as the English House of Lords has improved House of Commons legislation.

Whether, though, Wales needs its own Welsh House of Lords (aka , Mr Hain and his cronies) is another matter.

The Welsh House of Lords nit-picks.

And when it makes its nit-picking so obviously at a time when when Cardiff is busy debating whether Wales should demand a referendum on ”full powers” for Wales. …

Has Mr Hain been nobbled by anti-extra powers MPs on the Welsh Select Committee ?

Some of them are in his own party (Alun Michael, initial First Secretary, who was always renowned as a nit-checker and as a counter of paperclips).

Some exist in another party – principally, the Beelzebub solicitor Tory MP for Clwyd West, David Jones, whose detailed assistance is clearly in great need of checking as to whether he is assisting or attempting to sink any Welsh advances. Of course, sinking is his aim. And he’s got too much say on the Welsh select committee.