Foot in the devolution door

By Michael Foot Former Labour leader and south Wales MP

St David's Day the 1st of March in 1979 is a day which I shall always remember - it was the day that Welsh voters gave us a bloody nose when they voted by 3 or 4 to one against our proposals for devolution.

It was very sad time and we had obviously made some big mistakes in putting forward our case, but it never changed my views of devolution in that Welsh people, and those in other parts of the UK, should be able to determine locally with their votes on how they are governed on many issues.

The best example of this is the health service - I know there have been a few problems - but at last there is real democracy with people having local democratic control.

Put your questions to Michael Foot

I am convinced that Nye Bevan, the founder of the health service and in my view the greatest social democratic politician of the last century, would be very pleased with this development.

I know that Nye would have opposed some of the devolution ideas but he would have been strongly in favour of Welsh people using their own votes to control a Welsh national health service.

So 18 September 1997 is another date which I shall always remember as that was when the Welsh said "yes" to devolution.

I know it was narrow margin but it was a democratic vote, which I am always in favour of, particularly when the result goes my way.

I am not saying that the devolution settlement is perfect yet as I believe the National Assembly for Wales should have more powers.

Nye Bevan would 'approve' of assembly

The Scots have a powerful parliament, so why can't the Welsh have the same?

I think sometimes the English are frightened of the Celts but there is no need for that - the Celts can show the English the way to do things properly.

In fact that is the best argument against independence - the English won't be able to get by without Welsh or Scottish advice.

I also hope that the European Union can draw a few lessons from what is going on in Wales and Scotland - it is time for many of the European institutions to adopt some real democracy.

Old stomping ground

I know that some people are getting a bit impatient with Welsh Assembly but they need to remember that some of the best institutions have required time to develop.

I think that Rhodri Morgan has been a great leader of both the assembly and of the Wales Labour Party.

He is a very skilled Parliamentarian and he took over the job in very difficult circumstances but has performed magnificently.

I also believe that Peter Law, the Labour member for my old stamping ground in Ebbw Vale, has also done a great job in representing the south Wales valleys - of course it is probably best if the leadership contest for the party is avoided, but they are both good men.

I hope that over the next 10 to 15 years, there will be good Labour governments in Westminster - neither New Labour or Old Labour - and good Labour governments in a Welsh assembly with greater powers allowing people to have a real say in their own affairs.

The experiment is just beginning and I wish it the best of luck.