THE Bishops of the Church in Wales have commended the report of the Independent Commission on the country’s constitutional future as “a serious contribution to the discussion in regards to the way forward for our nation”.
The cross-party commission, co-chaired by the previous Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams and Professor Laura McAllister, has, in its own words, “grappled with critical questions on the best way Wales is governed, the health of its democracy and tips on how to engage residents from all parts of our country . . . in order that in the long run they might have an actual sense of agency and influence within the decision-making of our nation”.
The report describes Wales as on the front foot at an uncertain time for politics. It identifies making a more robustly democratic culture as “absolutely critical if we’re to beat the disengagement and cynicism that puts our democracy in danger”. It suggests that the connection between the UK and devolved governments has “fallen far in need of the cooperation that residents expect”, and calls for urgent steps to strengthen its legal and procedural pillars.
The commission, which brought out an interim report in 2022, describes the present political climate as one through which most residents feel faraway from those that govern them, and feel they haven’t any influence on government actions.
It takes an in depth have a look at the state of relations between the Welsh and UK governments, and notes that, because the 2016 referendum on the UK membership of the EU, the Westminster Parliament and UK Government have overridden the Sewel convention, designed to guard devolution (Comment, 14 April 2023) on quite a few occasions.
The commission’s report accommodates recommendations on points of life including justice and policing, energy generation and distribution, and rail services, where it calls on the UK Government to devolve responsibility for rail services and infrastructure, with “fair funding and shared governance on cross-border services”.
It acknowledges that constitutional change for Wales can’t be considered in isolation from development in the remaining of the UK, but declares its aspirations for “a constructive debate focused on what’s best for Wales, based on the perfect evidence and evaluation available, in order that the people of Wales could make an informed and thoughtful alternative.
“Our first focus has been on the residents of Wales and the way their lives will be improved by more coherent and sustainable governments. . . People care deeply about how their country is run and wish it to work efficiently of their best interests.”
It suggests three options: enhanced devolution, which might increase the powers controlled by the Welsh Government; a federal UK, where each nation was treated on an equal basis; and independence for Wales. It calls for the Sewel convention to develop into legally binding.
The Bishops express their hope that, as the controversy goes forward, “all sides will recognise that different views will be sincerely held in good faith, and that every one of Welsh society must strive to discover the common values and the shared vision which make for a healthy, prosperous, caring, and inclusive society.
“The Church in Wales is lively in every community across the country, and we all know from our experiences and from clergy and church members across Wales that we share a deep commitment to the welfare of our neighbours in our communities and the broader society through which we play an element.
“Wales faces many challenges, but it’ll face all of them the more confidently if we construct a robust consensus in regards to the type of society we would like, and if we achieve a shared and respectful understanding through which people of all backgrounds and beliefs can contribute to the common good.
“For the Church in Wales, our Christian faith inspires us to support this work each with practical motion and in prayer and we are going to proceed to play our full part in the long run developments of our society.”
