3. Statement by the First Minister: The final report of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:30 pm on 30 January 2024.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 3:30, 30 January 2024

I really thank all those who have contributed to bringing forward this report. It's a very serious report. It's intellectually robust. I think it's very well balanced in its considerations, and it is worthy of serious consideration by all those who think about the future, not just of this place, but the future of Wales, but also the future of Wales and these islands as well, and the governance and the government of these islands as well. And I think it deserves that seriousness of thought and engagement from all parties. And I do believe, by the way—I'll come to it in a moment—that there are things that the Conservatives will want to engage with on this. 

And it does matter, because it is about the quality of our governance and our government. It is about inter-governmental and inter-parliamentary relations and respect. It is about protecting the devolution settlement right now, and putting forward proposals that could bring a constitutional settlement here in Wales, and across the UK, more suited to the current post-EU situation, and, I have to say, fit for the future as well.

And the point that I want to put to Senedd colleagues today, of all parties, is: there are recommendations in this report about not where we go in the future, but protecting devolution now, and I would say some of these recommendations echo—and I'm speaking in a personal capacity today, but they echo—some of the thoughts of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, but also House of Commons and House of Lords committees, of the inter-parliamentary forum and others, and they refer to embedding in legislation the Sewell convention, and embedding in legislation inter-governmental relations on that basis of a duty of co-operation and parity of esteem between the Governments of the UK.

So, First Minister, and Conservative colleagues, can I just suggest: those are ones that we can, right here, right now, agree to work on together, make representations to the UK Government and the UK Parliament to say, 'That, at least, we need to bolt down', because the danger highlighted in this report is one that others have already flagged up—including the LJC committee—that, without bolting those down, we are in danger of rolling backwards down the devolution hill. 

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