Welsh Questions meets Casualty
It looked more like an episode of Casualty than the House of Commons as MPs gathered for the parliamentary treat that is questions to the secretary of state for Wales.
Labour's Chris Bryant hobbled in, his leg still in plaster after a recent rugby injury. Tory MP Glyn Davies, recovering from a back operation, arrived on crutches, which he propped against the back of the bench in front of him. It made an interesting backdrop for the Prime Minister, occupying that bench, as he answered MPs' questions.
The warm-up act was provided by Cheryl Gillan and her deputy David Jones, taking time off from their twitter duties to field questions.
There was a reminder, or two, of last week's election results but as an event it did little to fill bulletins or newspapers.
The Press Association reported subsequently that the system for electing Welsh assembly members could be changed, leading to a surge of excitement from those who feel we don't do nearly enough constitutional navel-gazing in Wales.
Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards suggested that the cut in Welsh MPs at Westminster, from 40 to 30, be used to shake-up the voting system used in the assembly. "Considering the opposition of the Labour Party to decoupling Westminster and National Assembly constituency boundaries, would it make sense to make the next make-up of the fifth National Assembly based on 30 regionals and 30 constituency AMs?"
Cheryl Gillan: "That's a very interesting thought. I'm taking his question
as a recommendation and I will look seriously at his recommendation we have 30
first-past-the-post seats and 30 on the list system."
A review of voting systems would doubtless prompt calls for the assembly to have rather more members to cope with their extra legislative workload.
The UK government is already committed to looking at ways of increasing the assembly's financial accountability - its budget is currently set at Westminster.
Tory MP Mary Macleod, a Scot who represents an outer London seat, is on the case: "A priority in Wales and elsewhere is to make sure the deficit is under control. But now that ministers from the Welsh assembly have more power, is it not right they are financially accountable for those powers as well?"
An issue that will be looked at by a commission later this year. Politicians come and go but in Welsh politics you're never too far away from your next committee.
Hello. I'm David Cornock and I'm parliamentary correspondent for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales. This is the blog for the latest news and gossip from the Westminster village - with a Welsh accent.
Comment number 1.
At 11th May 2011, caradog_minchin wrote:At least Mr Bryant's injury meant that he sat downstream of Denis Skinner so he was not the annoying presence he usually is during PMQs. If there was a competition to match MPs with their constituencies, I have always thought that few would match Mr B with the poor area he sits for. But with a lad from that area becoming host of the American X Factor, maybe Mr B's relentless pursuit of prominence makes him exactly the right person...
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Comment number 2.
At 13th May 2011, Bill wrote:The rise and rise of devolution began in earnest during Tony Blair's premiership?
Has it been handled badly/incompetently? Undoubtedly. Have enormous amounts of money been, and still, being wasted? Absolutely.
Are devolution politicians and Westminster still responsible for so much wasted Β£billions that should have gone to the Welsh and Scottish and English citizens? YES.
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Comment number 3.
At 13th May 2011, RW49 wrote:Interesting stuff, changes to the numbers of AMs and how they are elected should be re-visited, particularly with this the redrawing of constituency boundaries. And yes, with increased powers should come increased financial responsibility. Going back to the makeup and numbers of the Welsh Government (as it is now called), anything that alters the mix which seems to give a permanent one partyish government needs serious consideration. Witness the 'new' WG cabinet, failure appears to be rewarded. As the Americans say: 'If it aint broke don't fix it.' but in this case......
A private members bill to make March 1st a bank holiday, great let's all rush down the beach, after all the days still aren't very long yet, are they?
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Comment number 4.
At 13th May 2011, tredwyn wrote:UK government wants a commission to devolve taxation to Wales. Welsh government has rejected tax devolution. So what is HMG playing at? Constitutionally it can impose it but can it do so politically and without a referendum? Hasn't it got enough fights on its hands now with NHS etc etc? Any idea what the game is Mr Cornock?
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