Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas calls for better communication with the people of Wales

The National Assembly’s Llywydd, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, is today calling for greater clarity in explaining the roles of Assembly and Government in Wales. Speaking on the 10^th anniversary of the referendum on devolution in Wales, he will say that now is the time for the terms “Assembly” and “Welsh Government” to be adopted to make it easier for the public to understand the different roles. Lord Elis-Thomas will be addressing AMs, journalists and supporters of both the Yes and No campaigns at a reception in the Senedd following plenary today. He will welcome the new powers given to the Assembly in the Government of Wales Act, and say they mark a significant step forward from the original devolution settlement, which had serious flaws and limited what could be achieved on behalf of the Welsh electorate. He will also say that the formal separation of the Assembly and Government in the new Act makes it significantly easier to communicate with the Welsh people, but that both bodies have to rise to the challenge. “We all have a responsibility for clarity regarding our roles and responsibilities. How can we expect the public to hold us to account and fully participate in Welsh democracy when there is so much confusion between the legislature, the Assembly, and the Executive, the Government. Is it not time that we now refer to ourselves and each other in clearer terms to enable us to move on and take Wales forward as the Assembly and the Welsh Government?”