The public invited to have their say on the constitutional future of Wales

The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales  is now inviting people to join a national conversation about the way Wales is run.

Anyone that is interested in doing so have until July 31 2022 to submit their views. 

The Commission is an independent body that will consider all the options for how Wales might be governed in the future.

It has been asked to look at how Wales could be run differently, while remaining an integral part of the United Kingdom. We have also been asked to consider other options to strengthen Welsh democracy both within and outside the United Kingdom.

” Our task includes reviewing current arrangements, looking at who has power over what, the current rules for how Wales is run, and whether these are the best ways of organising things, including:

who takes the political decisions that affect the people of Wales, and how those decisions are taken; and

on which aspects of our national life should Wales be able to set its own rules and make its own decisions.

We want to hear from as many people as possible, from all walks of life and from every community, about what matters to you, and your hopes for Wales’s future.”

Among the seven questions the Commission would like the public’s opinions is:

As a distinct country and political unit, how should Wales be governed in the future?

The options being should Wales:

broadly keep the current arrangements where Wales is governed as part of the UK, and the Westminster Parliament delegates some responsibilities to the Senedd and Welsh Government;

move towards Wales having more autonomy to decide for itself within a more federal UK, with most matters decided by the Senedd and Welsh Government, and the Westminster Parliament decides UK-wide matters on behalf of Wales (and other parts of the UK);

move towards Wales having full control to govern itself and be independent from the UK ;

pursue any other governance model you would like to suggest; and or 

alongside any of these options, should more responsibilities be given to local councils bringing decision making closer to people across Wales and if so, please provide examples.

the Senedd and Welsh Government, with those responsibilities adjusted as in Q5, OR

The co-chair of the Commission, Dr Rowan Williams, said:

“The Commission’s job is to think about how Wales is governed, and consider options for change. This is an open invitation for people in all parts of Welsh society to share what is important to them and how we can improve the lives of people living in Wales.

“We’re living through a time of immense political change and there’s growing recognition across the UK that the Union needs to reform, with movements for more radical change – including independence – gaining traction.”