I feel the main issue with devolution and grievances with the current set up aren’t necessarily problems of the system itself (though these don’t help)
The problem is a very unique situation where the ‘two governments’ in a bi-party system can pick and chose the narrative. For example with health, the Welsh Conservatives can easily point the finger at the Welsh Labour Govt in charge, but the Labour govt has the ability to blame ‘the higher power of funding from Westminster’. This can be flipped too, with Welsh Tories claiming something positive is thanks to Westminster, whereas Welsh Labour can claim it was due to their efforts.
In most ‘regional’ systems in Europe, a healthier PR with minimum thresholds is used and tends to avoid the extremity of this issue. Take Catalonia for example: there are 2 main independence parties, one left wing, one right wing. There are then 3 pro Spain parties, one left wing, one centrist and one right wing. This forces consensus building politics, meaning that it’s almost impossible to dodge scrutiny in the same way.
What devolution needs is a better quality of political party systems. A make up of the Senedd that leads to better scrutiny, and removes the option to position yourself as ‘in Wales’ or ‘in the U.K.’
In short, forcing Welsh MSs to have to talk about their plans in a Welsh context, and not being allowed to simply say ‘it’s Westminister’s fault’ without then being forced to set out how they would a) deal with this issue in the short term in the current set up and b) how they plan to negotiate a change so that in the future it’s not ‘someone else’s fault’
Absolutely agree, the current system is failing at all levels. If parties would spend their energies working together instead of tearing chunks out of each other, we might see some progress.
Thanks Will. I agree with your observation that cash would be more focused on cardiff than elsewhere in Wales regardless of devolution. I think the disappointment for us in north wales is that we hoped Cardiff would be a bit more understanding of the needs of the whole of wales - including the north and other rural and coastal communities - than London and therefore the money would be distributed more equitably by a devolved government. Sadly this hasn’t happened and things feel worse up here than they did before devolution.
I can entirely sympathise with those areas of Wales who feel that Cardiff benefits from Devolution in ways that they don't. I also agree that the Senedd can't keep blaming Westminster for the state of the NHS in Wales. Orthopaedic waiting lists are ridiculously long. I know from personal experience having had to go to Lithuania recently for a private hip replacement. At least it was half the cost of going privately here! As the report of the Comission on the Future Constitution of Wales published this week concludes the present system of governing isn't working. It offers 3 paths for consideration by the people of Wales namely greater Devolutionary powers, federalism, and Independence. I favour the latter. It won't be easy but the sooner we take responsibility for ourselves and get rid of the colonialist mindset that holds us back the sooner we can make Cymru a fairer, healthier and more prosperous country to live in.
Enjoy the amazing trip. I hope you're not going via Ecuador!
I feel the main issue with devolution and grievances with the current set up aren’t necessarily problems of the system itself (though these don’t help)
The problem is a very unique situation where the ‘two governments’ in a bi-party system can pick and chose the narrative. For example with health, the Welsh Conservatives can easily point the finger at the Welsh Labour Govt in charge, but the Labour govt has the ability to blame ‘the higher power of funding from Westminster’. This can be flipped too, with Welsh Tories claiming something positive is thanks to Westminster, whereas Welsh Labour can claim it was due to their efforts.
In most ‘regional’ systems in Europe, a healthier PR with minimum thresholds is used and tends to avoid the extremity of this issue. Take Catalonia for example: there are 2 main independence parties, one left wing, one right wing. There are then 3 pro Spain parties, one left wing, one centrist and one right wing. This forces consensus building politics, meaning that it’s almost impossible to dodge scrutiny in the same way.
What devolution needs is a better quality of political party systems. A make up of the Senedd that leads to better scrutiny, and removes the option to position yourself as ‘in Wales’ or ‘in the U.K.’
In short, forcing Welsh MSs to have to talk about their plans in a Welsh context, and not being allowed to simply say ‘it’s Westminister’s fault’ without then being forced to set out how they would a) deal with this issue in the short term in the current set up and b) how they plan to negotiate a change so that in the future it’s not ‘someone else’s fault’
Absolutely agree, the current system is failing at all levels. If parties would spend their energies working together instead of tearing chunks out of each other, we might see some progress.
Thanks Will. I agree with your observation that cash would be more focused on cardiff than elsewhere in Wales regardless of devolution. I think the disappointment for us in north wales is that we hoped Cardiff would be a bit more understanding of the needs of the whole of wales - including the north and other rural and coastal communities - than London and therefore the money would be distributed more equitably by a devolved government. Sadly this hasn’t happened and things feel worse up here than they did before devolution.
Enjoy your break 😁
The Madness and Scale of Underfunding of NHS General Practice
Virtual ward: £935 per patient per day
Hospital Inpatient £500 per patient per day
General Practice: £160/patient per YEAR
Why the Delay in Senedd Debate on Welsh General Practice ?
19,725 Signatures already in Petition
https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245944
https://www.hsj.co.uk/finance-and-efficiency/virtual-ward-costs-twice-that-of-inpatient-care-study-finds/7036461.article
Ending devolution never appears to be an option. I do believe it could be very popular.
I can entirely sympathise with those areas of Wales who feel that Cardiff benefits from Devolution in ways that they don't. I also agree that the Senedd can't keep blaming Westminster for the state of the NHS in Wales. Orthopaedic waiting lists are ridiculously long. I know from personal experience having had to go to Lithuania recently for a private hip replacement. At least it was half the cost of going privately here! As the report of the Comission on the Future Constitution of Wales published this week concludes the present system of governing isn't working. It offers 3 paths for consideration by the people of Wales namely greater Devolutionary powers, federalism, and Independence. I favour the latter. It won't be easy but the sooner we take responsibility for ourselves and get rid of the colonialist mindset that holds us back the sooner we can make Cymru a fairer, healthier and more prosperous country to live in.
Enjoy the amazing trip. I hope you're not going via Ecuador!