In May, Welsh Labour suffered a huge defeat in the election for the Senedd. Having been in power since the advent of devolution, Welsh Labour was left with only nine seats in an enlarged Senedd of 96.
There are a number of reasons why Welsh Labour did so badly in this election. They are connected to the unpopularity of the Labour Government in Westminster at the time and the record of the Welsh Labour Government. What is now important is that Welsh Labour not only examines honestly the reasons for its defeat, but works to rebuild for the future.
Devolution means ‘partnership
One of the inherent strengths of Welsh Labour is that it is the party of devolution. It was Labour that established the Welsh Assembly, after a narrow referendum vote in favour, and it is Labour which enabled devolution to grow and flourish. The Welsh Labour view of devolution has always rested on two central beliefs: Firstly, that devolution is about bringing decision-making closer to the people. And secondly, devolution means ‘partnership’ with Westminster not ‘separation’ from it. Today, these central tenets are more relevant and important than ever before.
There are areas which still need to be devolved to Cardiff Bay from Westminster. I think in particular of elements of the justice system and aspects of employment support. But, perhaps more significantly, Welsh Labour needs to argue for devolution ‘within’ Wales. Wales is a very diverse nation with significant differences between north, south, east and west and between its urban and rural areas. This needs to be acknowledged and, just as importantly, we ought to recognise that economic growth cannot be driven only at a Welsh level; local government and regional consortia must be seen as key to achieving economic success.
The Welsh Labour view of devolution has never been about dividing Wales from England; it has always been about establishing a better, more effective relationship between Wales and the Westminster Government. With a Labour Government in London, reaffirming that ‘partnership’ is vital and maintaining the position of Secretary of State for Wales is crucial to the success of that relationship.
Co-operation not conflict
Despite their promises made during May’s election campaign, the Plaid Cymru Government in Cardiff Bay is doing its level best to fracture the United Kingdom. They are working with Nationalists in Scotland and Northern Ireland to weaken the union and they have renewed their call to abolish the position of Welsh Secretary and the Wales Office.
It is easy to see why Plaid Cymru wants to do this. The aim of the party is to create an independent Welsh state, even though the economic consequences would be disastrous for the Welsh people. For them, devolution is just a step towards separation, and the removal of the Welsh Secretary would be an ominous move in that direction. Unfortunately, this call is being supported by some Welsh Labour figures.
The Welsh Labour view is, and must remain, fundamentally different to Plaid’s. We support devolution, not as a step to the break-up of the United Kingdom, but because it is a better and more democratic way to govern Wales and, indeed, Britain. Our vision is about co-operation not conflict.
The role of Secretary of State for Wales is to ensure the voice of Wales is heard loudly and clearly at the highest levels of the UK Government. Many areas of decision-making are not devolved to Wales and Wales receives an annual block-grant from the Westminster government to fund public services. In these areas it is vital that Welsh interests are promoted within the UK government and around the cabinet table.
If the position of Welsh Secretary and the Wales Office were abolished, there is no doubt in my mind that Wales would run the risk of being marginalised. Inter-governmental co-operation is important but because of the nature of the devolution settlement its role can only be limited. For reasons of pragmatism as well as of principle, the Secretary of State for Wales is a post which should be defended by all supporters of devolution.