SCOTTISH LABOUR ARGUMENTS UNRAVELLING ON REFERENDUM.

SCOTTISH LABOUR ARGUMENTS UNRAVELLING ON REFERENDUM.

WELSH LABOUR LEADER COMMITTED TO POLL AS EARLY AS NEXT AUTUMN,

Scottish Labour’s arguments against allowing people a say on Scotland’s future in a referendum were unravelling this evening (Tuesday) following the election of Carwyn Jones AM as Welsh Labour leader and successor to Rhodri Morgan as First Minister of Wales. Mr Jones is committed to delivering a referendum on extending powers for the Welsh Assembly saying: “…the first thing I want to do is sit down with my coalition partners to make sure we can implement the One Wales agreement.” All three Labour leadership candidates in Wales said they were committed to holding a referendum by May 2011, and in a statement the Welsh Assembly Government said: "Nothing has been ruled in or ruled out, including, if it proved practical, a referendum in the autumn."

Congratulating and commenting on Mr Jones’ election, SNP Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Pete Wishart MP said:

“Congratulations to Carwyn Jones on his election as Welsh Labour leader and his welcome commitment to delivering a referendum to win more powers for the Welsh Assembly.

“Scottish Labour have been completely shown up by their Welsh counterparts who have demolished Iain Gray’s bogus arguments against allowing people in Scotland their say on Scotland’s future in a referendum. That referendum may well be held at exactly the same time as the referendum proposed by the Scottish Government.

“Iain Gray’s leadership is in disarray over the referendum – he now needs to explain why people in Wales should have their say while people in Scotland should not.”