Don't let PR fears put brakes on devolution - Black

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 9th Jun 2008

Peter Black has urged AMs of all parties to support the devolution of new powers, which could revolutionise the way Wales' town halls are elected.

Speaking ahead of his debate on Wednesday where AMs will vote on the issue, Mr Black urged his colleagues to support the devolution of powers to the Assembly - even if they disagree with him about how or even whether they should be used.

Peter Black said: "I am putting forward this Legislative Competence Order because I believe the people of Wales should decide how we elect our local authorities, not the MPs for England and Scotland.

"I hope AMs will see this LCO for what it is - a chance for the Assembly to grow and take on powers that should logically be held in Wales. This LCO on its own will not change the voting system, and I hope opponents of change will be willing to save those arguments for another day, and support a logical step in the devolution process.

"Opposing this LCO would merely put the brakes on devolution, at a time when we should be going further and faster to deliver the change that the people of Wales want to see."

Welsh Liberal Democrats have a long-standing commitment to introducing fairer votes at local government elections. The idea is supported by AMs in all four main parties. However, under the Assembly's powers, that is not yet possible. Peter Black won a ballot open to all non-government AMs allowing them to ask Westminster to give the Assembly the powers (legislative competence) over local government elections. This would include issues like when votes are held, how often, whether all councillors are elected at the same time, as well as the electoral system used.

With some Labour members agitating for reform of local government boundaries in the light of their recent election losses, these powers would give Ministers scope to do the job properly.

Peter added: "There are members in all parties who support change to improve the way our councils are elected, and to ensure more people get involved in the democratic process. We may not all agree on what those changes should be, but I hope we can unite to ensure that these decisions are ones that will be 'made in Wales' in the future."