Wales barely mentioned in “one nation” Queen’s speech

[geardaddy]

Interesting commentary on the queen's speech from a Welsh perspective
http://dailywales.net/2015/05/27/wales-barely-mentioned-in-one-nation-queens-speech/

by Daily Wales correspondent

The Queen of England has officially opened the 2015 Parliament and laid out her Conservative government’s programme of legislation – but Wales was barely mentioned.

There will be a referendum on EU membership, and “English votes for English laws” in Westminster.

With the introduction of “right to buy” for housing association tenants in England likely to increase property prices in Tory heartlands, the economic gap between southeast England and the remainder of the UK is likely to remain – especially when the effect of HS2 is factored in.

The English monarch, in her speech, said:

“My government will legislate in the interests of everyone in the country.”

Presumably, the country she was referring to was England. She continued:

“It will adopt a one nation approach, helping working people get on, supporting aspiration, giving new opportunities to the disadvantaged and bringing different parts of our country together.”

How easily this “one nation approach” will sit with further devolution to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is not immediately apparent, as England’s wealthiest woman also promised that:

“[her] government will bring forward legislation to secure a strong and lasting constitutional settlement, devolving wide-ranging powers to Scotland and Wales. Legislation will be taken forward giving effect to the Stormont House agreement in Northern Ireland.”

Wide-ranging powers to Wales? These have certainly not been promised by the St David’s Day Agreement, which will deliver powers over matters such as speed limits and ports to Wales.

The rest at link

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Oh noes! The speech mentioned England twice, and Wales twice!

The poor, poor Welsh correspondent! He (or she) didn't get singled out for special attention. The correspondent's ego needs stroking a bit more.

The point of a 'one nation' speech would be, of course, to be talking about the whole country, not singling out Wales for things. I guess the correspondent didn't figure that out.

[Ken Burch]

2. In a way, it goes to the question

of whether we see the UK as one "nation" or four(well, three-and-slightly-less-than-a-fifth, depending on how exactly N.I. is defined in national terms).

It's not even accurate to call Northern Ireland "Ulster", since it's only made up of six out of the nine counties which make up the historic province of Ulster(perhaps it should be called "Ulst", to reflect this two-thirds status).