CYNOG DAFIS seeks the support of Cambria readers for the activities of Cymru Yfory-Tomorrow’s Wales and for the Declaration for Welsh Democracy.

We are entering a critical phase in the history of our nation. During the next two years we have the opportunity to transform our National Assembly into a proper legislative parliament. In June 2007, the new One Wales coalition government committed itself to seeking primary law-making powers for the Assembly and ‘to campaign for a successful outcome’ to a referendum on that subject.

By the end of November, it is anticipated that the All-Wales Convention, chaired by Sir Emyr Jones-Parry, will have reported on its finding to the Government of Wales, and it is likely to come out in favour of law-making powers. But even then there will be a number of major hurdles to cross before the finishing line is reached.

Before a referendum can be held there is a statutory process that could take as long as 160 days:

• The National Assembly has to pass by a two-thirds majority a resolution calling for a referendum

• The Secretary of State has to consult and may, or may not, then place a draft order before both houses of the UK Parliament

• If (s)he does so, that order, setting the date, the question and time allowed for campaigning, has to be approved by both houses

• The Assembly itself must then approve the order, again by a two-thirds majority

The first hurdle should present no difficulty but it is far from certain that the next two will be crossed and there might be issues of detail that could make the fourth uncertain.

If all of these hurdles are successfully crossed, there remains the task of winning the support of the people if Wales in a referendum. There is every reason to be optimistic about the outcome. Rigorous analysis of public opinion shows a steady and strong growth in support for devolution since 1999, with law-making powers on the Scottish model the most favoured option. At the same time there is widespread support in ‘civil society’ for a legislative parliament (although the business sector is perhaps more ambiguous). At the same time the current arrangements, whereby the National Assembly has to seek the power to legislate, item by item, from Westminster is widely regarded as cumbersome, inefficient and an obstacle to effective democratic government.

However referenda are by their nature unpredictable and it would be the height of folly to take success for granted.

It is in this context that Cymru Yfory has launched its Declaration for Welsh Democracy (see panel), which has already attracted thousands of signatures, including prominent people from the worlds of sport, entertainment and the arts, the law, academia etc as well as hundreds of ordinary citizens.

Cymru Yfory was established in 2004 to press for the implementation of the recommendations of the Richard Commission on the Powers and Electoral arrangements of the National Assembly. We are a cross-sectoral, nonparty-political body and our able chairman is the Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan. Since 2004 we have been active in lobbying for a law-making parliament and have established strong links with civil organisations to encourage a well-informed debate about democracy and effective government in Wales through networking, seminars and conferences. Our Layman’s Guide to the New National Assembly for Wales, the only publication of its kind, is currently being updated. Our briefing papers on various aspects of devolved government have been widely welcomed and we have published a number of popular leaflets.

We have been able to attract funding for our activities from various sources including the Rowntree Charitable and Reform Trusts and a grant from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has enabled us this year to obtain the professional services of a Development Officer, Elin Wyn. We are in the process of establishing a formal membership system.

Cymru Yfory will not be the Yes Campaign which will no doubt be established early next year. We have a broader remit than such a campaign. However we believe we have a responsibility to prepare the ground for the debate that will occur as the Referendum approaches.

It is now vitally important that a powerful momentum be created in favour of bringing proper parliamentary government to Wales and to do so we need the support of people from all walks of life and all parts of Wales.

Cambria readers can help in a number of ways:

• By signing the Declaration for Welsh Democracy which we see as a key tool in building momentum

• By asking others to do so: family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Imagine the effect if each of Cambria’s 60,000 plus readers got ten signatures each!

• By joining with others to establish a local group to distribute leaflets and gather support • By contributing financially

• By joining in the debate on our blog at: www.tomorrow-wales.co.uk/blog

Information on Cymru Yfory and materials, including leaflets and petition forms for the Declaration, can be obtained from Cymru Yfory at Tyˆ Meandros, 54a Bute Street, Cardiff CF10 5AS or by visiting our website www.tomorrow-wales.co.uk

A DECLARATION FOR WELSH DEMOCRACY

We the undersigned believe that the creation of a system of effective democratic governance for Wales is a matter of major importance. Such a system should:

• Be efficient in its use of time and resources

• Be comprehensible and transparent

• Promote wide participation by the public and civil society

• Respect the autonomy of the National Assembly as the elected body which represents the people of Wales

• Offer constitutional stability and thus a means of concentrating on the implementation of a policy programme that can get to grips with the problems and release the potential of Wales

We believe that this would best be achieved by the granting of primary law-making powers to the National Assembly, and we call for the holding of a referendum to that end.