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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Lib Dem fears on Murphy's return | Lib Dem fears on Murphy's return |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader has warned of a "sticky time" for devolving more powers to the assembly under new Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy. | The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader has warned of a "sticky time" for devolving more powers to the assembly under new Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy. |
| Mike German says he fears that Mr Murphy arrives with "baggage" over his attitude to devolution and will hamper further transfers of legislation. | Mike German says he fears that Mr Murphy arrives with "baggage" over his attitude to devolution and will hamper further transfers of legislation. |
| "I think things can only get worse, as matters are held up," warned Mr German. | "I think things can only get worse, as matters are held up," warned Mr German. |
| But Mr Murphy insisted that one of his priorities was to improve relationships between the assembly and Westminster. | But Mr Murphy insisted that one of his priorities was to improve relationships between the assembly and Westminster. |
| Following the resignation of Peter Hain, who quit after his deputy leadership campaign donations were referred to the police, Mr Murphy returns to the position he held for three years. | |
| 'Veto' | |
| Mr Murphy told BBC Radio Wales that he wanted the constitutional relationship between the Welsh Assembly Government. the assembly and parliament to work "smoothly". | Mr Murphy told BBC Radio Wales that he wanted the constitutional relationship between the Welsh Assembly Government. the assembly and parliament to work "smoothly". |
| "I think the priority for me really is to ensure that we understand each other in our respective roles, and to perhaps improve the relationship," added Mr Murphy. | "I think the priority for me really is to ensure that we understand each other in our respective roles, and to perhaps improve the relationship," added Mr Murphy. |
| "Over the last number of months it has been a bit rocky for all sorts of reasons and I think that's already started to happen under Peter [Hain] and I hope to continue that." | "Over the last number of months it has been a bit rocky for all sorts of reasons and I think that's already started to happen under Peter [Hain] and I hope to continue that." |
| But Mr German said he feared that Mr Murphy came to the post with his own political agenda. | But Mr German said he feared that Mr Murphy came to the post with his own political agenda. |
| PAUL MURPHY FACTFILE Born 25 November, 1948 Lecturer in history and govt, Ebbw Vale College, 1971-87Torfaen councillor 1973-87MP for Torfaen from 1987Shadow spokesman for Wales 1988-94, Northern Ireland 1994, foreign affairs 1994-95, defence 1995-97Northern Ireland minister 1997-99Welsh secretary 1999-02Northern Ireland secretary 2002-05 Murphy returns as Welsh secretary | |
| "The problem is he comes with a little bit of baggage here about his attitude towards devolution and the transfer of powers," warned Mr German. | "The problem is he comes with a little bit of baggage here about his attitude towards devolution and the transfer of powers," warned Mr German. |
| "The Prime Minister has handed this man a veto, an absolute veto, over passing powers on to the national assembly. I think we are in for a bit of a sticky time." | "The Prime Minister has handed this man a veto, an absolute veto, over passing powers on to the national assembly. I think we are in for a bit of a sticky time." |
| Mr Murphy admits he had never been an "enthusiast" for devolution, and opposed the coalition between Labour and Plaid Cymru to form the assembly government last summer. | Mr Murphy admits he had never been an "enthusiast" for devolution, and opposed the coalition between Labour and Plaid Cymru to form the assembly government last summer. |
| But he said his party had made a democratic decision, which he must work with. | But he said his party had made a democratic decision, which he must work with. |
| "My job is to ensure that...we get decent services, that the relationship between Cardiff and Westminster is constantly improving. | "My job is to ensure that...we get decent services, that the relationship between Cardiff and Westminster is constantly improving. |
| "And that the new constitutional settlement, that's to say the way laws are made up here and in Cardiff, that it works smoothly." | "And that the new constitutional settlement, that's to say the way laws are made up here and in Cardiff, that it works smoothly." |
| He said the position of Welsh secretary was "very dear to my heart as a Welsh MP" and there was a "very big job to be done". | He said the position of Welsh secretary was "very dear to my heart as a Welsh MP" and there was a "very big job to be done". |
| The presiding officer of the assembly, Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, has described the concerns raised by the Welsh Lib Dem leader as "total fantasy". | The presiding officer of the assembly, Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, has described the concerns raised by the Welsh Lib Dem leader as "total fantasy". |
| Lord Elis Thomas added: "Paul Murphy's views, or my views, are not the issue here. The issue is making the constitution of Wales work - and Paul will do that." | Lord Elis Thomas added: "Paul Murphy's views, or my views, are not the issue here. The issue is making the constitution of Wales work - and Paul will do that." |