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Morgan unveils first Welsh laws | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has unveiled plans for the first Welsh laws in centuries. | |
Mr Morgan set out Labour's programme for government in the first full business session of the Welsh assembly since last month's election. | |
The laws - known as assembly measures - focus on issues including child poverty, housing and health. | |
Earlier, some opposition AMs complained that they had not been properly consulted about the proposals. | |
The announcement comes a day after the Queen performed the official opening of the assembly's third term in a ceremony also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. | The announcement comes a day after the Queen performed the official opening of the assembly's third term in a ceremony also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. |
It's no accident that the proposals focus on the bread-and-butter issues First Minister Rhodri Morgan | |
Now the assembly is getting down to business, with Labour running a minority government, which means its policies will need support from other parties. | Now the assembly is getting down to business, with Labour running a minority government, which means its policies will need support from other parties. |
The programme includes measures to give NHS patients more rights and to improve environmental protection and waste management. | |
Other measures could divide the opposition parties, with possible moves to restrict the sale of council houses likely to alienate the Conservatives, while attracting support from Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats. | |
'Listening government' | 'Listening government' |
Mr Morgan said he hoped it would be possible to build a progressive consensus in the assembly to provide the policies that Wales require. | |
"It's no accident that the proposals focus on the bread-and-butter issues," said Mr Morgan. | |
"Our object must surely be not to create more law, but better law for Wales, and to apply our energies to bring about improvement in those aspects of daily life which directly impact on the daily lives of our fellow citizens." | |
Speaking earlier, Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black said although Labour had been talking about consensus, he was disappointed he did not know what was going to be in Wednesday's announcement beforehand. | |
The first minister is leading a minority Labour government | |
Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Tories, said his party should have been consulted before the programme was put forward and that Labour needed to change its approach if it was to survive. | |
However, Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said Labour should be given a chance and it was not sensible to "turf governments out willy-nilly". | |
Responding to the criticism, Budget and Business Minister Jane Hutt Labour had carried out several discussions with the Lib Dems and Plaid since the election. | |
"We will demonstrate that a minority government is a listening government," she said. | |
"We are not lecturing, we are reaching out, we are working together." |