News from Welsh Labour

“Assembly should have greater say on EU decisions” – Labour AM

The Welsh Assembly should have a greater say in shaping laws and decisions made by the EU in areas of devolved responsibility, a Labour AM has claimed.

Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, believes there is a “democratic deficit” affecting Wales when it comes to legislation emanating from the European Union – a deficit that could be narrowed by allowing Assembly Members to scrutinise EU Directives and regulations that directly affect areas of responsibility devolved to Cardiff Bay.

The AM believes it is nonsensical for MPs to scrutinise EU matters relating to health and education, when such matters are devolved to the Welsh Assembly.

Commenting on her call, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

“Dealing with European legislation is a matter reserved for the UK Government and scrutiny of EU Directives is dealt with by the European Scrutiny Committee of the House of Commons.

“The trouble is, there are an increasing amount of Directives and regulations emanating from Europe that have a direct impact on the areas of policy that have been devolved to the Welsh Assembly. Yet, the Assembly has no influence or input in judging the impact such laws will have on Wales.

“Whilst Welsh Government Ministers may be consulted on proposals that affect areas under their devolved remit, we as Assembly Members unlike Members of Parliament, have no say on EU legislation. It’s a nonsensical situation – these are patently issues that AMs should decide on what is best for Wales.

“After ten years of devolution, we need to find a more appropriate way of doing things and accommodating the views of Assembly Members in shaping laws that affect health, education and skills. There is increasing onus on the Assembly to deliver EU policies and given we are now faced with heightened pressures on our resources in the coming years, this disconnect needs to be addressed.

“We need to look afresh at how, as a devolved Assembly, we can have a more proactive and appropriate role in shaping Wales’ responsibilities within Europe. I hope, therefore, we can have a debate in Wales about how this can be moved forward and arrive at a suitable mechanism to allow this to happen.”