Liberal Democrats to Back Bill to Protect Powers of the Senedd

THE Liberal Democrats have pledged their support to a Bill in the UK Parliament designed to protect the powers of the Senedd.

The Government of Wales (Devolved Powers) Bill [HL], has been proposed by Plaid Cymru Lord and former leader Dafydd Wigley.

The Bill, which just passed its second reading in the House of Lords is expected to go to the House of Commons if it passes its third reading.

The Bill would mean powers devolved to Senedd Cymru must not be amended or withdrawn without a super-majority vote of its elected members.

Speaking at the second reading of the Bill, Baroness Christine Humphreys, the Liberal Democrat’s Wales Spokesperson in the

House of Lords said:

“This Bill seeks to protect the powers of the Senedd, ensuring that the powers conferred on it by previous Government of Wales Acts and by the people of Wales cannot be unilaterally amended without the consent
of the Senedd.

“The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill, the European Union (Future Relationship) Bill, the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill, the Subsidy Control Bill and the Professional Qualifications Bill are all examples of the UK Government are challenging or usurping the powers of the devolved Parliaments
demonstrating why the Bill is needed.

“It is clear that the UK Government do not have a mandate from the Welsh people to undermine the powers of the Senedd.

“The Liberal Democrats want to see a federal system where safeguards such as this Bill would be enshrined in the constitution. My party has always been in favour of a federal UK, where the different nations have responsibility for their own affairs while working together on common issues.

“For a federal system to work, a federal Government should not be able to remove the powers of devolved nations on a whim or to bind the union together, as our present settlement allows.

“This Bill will have the support of the Liberal Democrats as it moves forward.”