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Final day for Lib Dems conference Lib Dems urge greater devolution
(1 day later)
The Welsh Liberal Democrats spring conference came to a close on Sunday with a strong emphasis being given to increasing devolution. Welsh Liberal Democrats emphasised a commitment to increased devolution as they ended their spring conference.
Roger Williams, the Parliamentary Group Leader gave the main speech of the morning in Llandudno. Parliamentary leader and Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams said his party were "devo-deliverers, not devo-realists or devo-delusionists."
He referred to the work of MPs in Westminster and their aim of getting more devolution to Wales. "We will press on the government to do away with the halfway house they have created," he said.
He said: "We will be devo-deliverers, not devo-realists or devo-delusionists." He attacked the assembly's inability to make decisions in areas like the environment and sustainability.
"We will press on the government to do away with the half way house they have created." Not only are the current arrangements insulting to the assembly, they are also mind-bogglingly complicated Roger Williams MP
Not only are the current arrangements insulting to the assembly, they are also mind-bogglingly complicated Roger Williams
He attacked the assembly's current constitutional inability to make decisions in key areas like the environment and sustainability because of the Government of Wales Act.
"Not only are the current arrangements insulting to the assembly, they are also mind-bogglingly complicated."Not only are the current arrangements insulting to the assembly, they are also mind-bogglingly complicated.
"In Westminster and in Cardiff we will be making the case for an early referendum, and before the 2011 assembly election" he said."In Westminster and in Cardiff we will be making the case for an early referendum, and before the 2011 assembly election" he said.
A week earlier, the Secretary of State for Wales, Paul Murphy had said that he was a "devo-realist". A week earlier, Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy had said that he was a "devo-realist".
In an interview with the Wales on Sunday newspaper, Mr Murphy said that is was unlikely that a referendum will be held in Wales before 2011. In an interview with the Wales on Sunday newspaper, Mr Murphy said it was unlikely that a referendum will be held in Wales before 2011.
FinanceFinance
Mr Williams also paid particular attention to the way Wales is currently funded by the UK Government.Mr Williams also paid particular attention to the way Wales is currently funded by the UK Government.
"Wales has greater needs, and these needs will continue to be ignored and neglected as long as the government keeps using the Barnett formula."Wales has greater needs, and these needs will continue to be ignored and neglected as long as the government keeps using the Barnett formula.
"We must draw a line under this old and backward funding system, and look forward to a progressive and fair one that takes into account the needs of Wales," Mr Williams told delegates."We must draw a line under this old and backward funding system, and look forward to a progressive and fair one that takes into account the needs of Wales," Mr Williams told delegates.
He also paid tribute to Lembit Opik, his predecessor, who is now responsible for the UK party's economic and housing policies. He also paid tribute to Lembit Opik, his predecessor as leader of the parliamentary group, who is now responsible for the UK party's economic and housing policies.
Mike German has said he will step down as Welsh leader after MayMike German has said he will step down as Welsh leader after May
Changes to the constitution of the party were also discussed on Sunday morning as delegates debated the procedure for electing their leadership in Wales.Changes to the constitution of the party were also discussed on Sunday morning as delegates debated the procedure for electing their leadership in Wales.
However, it was decided to postpone making a decision on the motions until a later date.However, it was decided to postpone making a decision on the motions until a later date.
The motions tabled would have led to the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats coming from within its assembly members. The motions tabled would have led to the leader of the Welsh Lib Dems coming from within its assembly members.
In Scotland, the Lib Dems have already changed their constitution to ensure that their Scottish Leader comes from their members of the Scottish Parliament.In Scotland, the Lib Dems have already changed their constitution to ensure that their Scottish Leader comes from their members of the Scottish Parliament.
Currently, Mike German is the Welsh party leader and the assembly group leader.Currently, Mike German is the Welsh party leader and the assembly group leader.
The motion would have ensured that every future Welsh leader was also the leader of their assembly group.The motion would have ensured that every future Welsh leader was also the leader of their assembly group.
A motion was also tabled to ensure that all deputy leaders of the Welsh party in future come from amongst its members of Parliament.A motion was also tabled to ensure that all deputy leaders of the Welsh party in future come from amongst its members of Parliament.
The issues surrounding the leadership of the party are now going to be discussed at a dedicated meeting during the summer.The issues surrounding the leadership of the party are now going to be discussed at a dedicated meeting during the summer.
'Great opportunity''Great opportunity'
Christine Humphreys, the Welsh party's president closed the conference. Christine Humphreys, the Welsh party's president, said: "We're moving in the Liberal way.
She summarised the highlights of the weekend's conference and talked about the party's successes over the past four years. "This is a time of great opportunity for the Liberal Democrats," she said.
She was given the last task of mobilising her members before the local elections on 1 May.
"We're moving in the Liberal way.
"This is a time of great opportunity for the Liberal Democrats", she said.
Ms Humphreys also referred to the discussions to form a coalition following the assembly elections in 2007.Ms Humphreys also referred to the discussions to form a coalition following the assembly elections in 2007.
She said that this was "not our finest hour, I think we'll all admit, but it has had one benefit - it has shown up Plaid's insecurities".She said that this was "not our finest hour, I think we'll all admit, but it has had one benefit - it has shown up Plaid's insecurities".