Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

It's more a wishlist than a manifesto, but the Welsh Liberal Democrats have given an intriguing insight into what they hope to get from their coalition with the Conservatives.

A letter from the (Welsh) party's deputy leader, Roger Williams, to Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan contains a nine-point plan, ranging from repatriation of the Bank of Wales title to the transfer of several powers to the Welsh assembly.

I spotted in its redacted form on the Wales Office website and, in the interests of transparency, asked for a copy of the unredacted original.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MP writes: "Finances are obviously tight and I list below a number of policies that could be adopted at little or no cost.

• Redefining the Olympic spend as 'England only' so there is a Barnett consequential. [UK Government argues London 2012 has UK-wide benefit, some football to take place in Cardiff]

• Give the Assembly powers to introduce a St David's Day bank holiday. No cost. [A St David's Day holiday was once Welsh Tory policy, but now appears to have been junked. There would be a cost to public purse of extra paid day off]

• Not cancelling Independently Financed News Consortia pilot in Wales and allowing the trial to continue. Comes out of the licence fee. [Overtaken by events]

• Housing LCO revived and approved without amendment. No cost. [Delivered]

• Date for referendum on further powers, earlier and NOT on same days as assembly election 2011 with PM and DPM to come to Wales to campaign for a Yes vote. No cost. [Date set for March 3, PM to stay neutral and out of campaign]

• Immediate Commission into devolving policing and justice to the National Assembly. Minimal cost. [Little sign of progress on this one]

• Give powers on energy developments greater than 50MW to the Assembly. No cost. [DECC appear keen to retain powers and have suggested Wylfa could get a replacement nuclear power station]

• Repatriation of the Bank of Wales title. No cost. [An idea also found in the (Welsh Labour) leadership manifesto of Carwyn Jones. The Bank of Wales was taken over by the Bank of Scotland and ceased trading in its own name some years ago]

• Full planning and administrative support for a Welsh Stock Exchange in partnership between UK Government and NAfW. Estimated £million max." [An idea floated by his colleague as a way for companies to raise cash.]

I make that about one and a half ideas (so far) out of nine that could reach fruition. The appears to have rather more Scottish than Welsh input but Mr Williams's letter does reveal the lobbying that is going on behind the scenes.

I'll bring you Cheryl Gillan's reply when I get it.

UPDATE: A spokesman for the Secretary of State for Wales said:

"The Secretary of State met Mr Williams to discuss his letter in June and dealt with its contents there.

"The coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats sets out our joint programme for government over the next five years. It was agreed by both parties and has been published.

"The government has already delivered on the housing LCO, while Orders paving the way for a referendum on further powers for the National Assembly were laid before Parliament and the National Assembly last Thursday."

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