Queen opens Welsh assembly
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from May 1999.
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In groundbreaking elections early this month, Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru stunned British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour Party and deprived it of an overall majority in the 60-seat Welsh Assembly. Labour leader Alun Michael claimed leadership in the assembly as his party took 28 seats to Plaid's 17, and has looked to govern by consensus.
But for many in Wales, the assembly is little more than a talking shop. Barely half of the electorate voted for it in a referendum earlier this year. "The low turnout in the assembly elections shows that many people are at best agnostic," Michael said. "I believe this assembly will capture the public imagination but the real test is whether we make a difference to their lives."
"This new assembly extends a bridge into the future. "ture," the Queen said to the assembly during a bilingual ceremony. It marked a notable moment in Britain's history, she said, reflecting changing times and a recognition of the need for devolution "to reflect and articulate our rich cultural diversity".
Rob Thomas, 21 and born and bred in Cardiff, was doubtful. "I suppose it is nice to have but what can it really do for Wales?" he asked.
The assembly, already up and running, has no powers to raise taxes or pass primary legislation. Instead it will administer the annual budget of £8 billion ($13 billion) formerly controlled by the British government.
Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley backed Michael's call to arms, saying the parties had to work together. "We are aware of the scale of our task and eager to start our work," he said.
The first days of the assembly suggest it could change some things, embarrassing Blair in the process. Tuesday it started the process of bringing back beef-on-the-bone, banned by the government in the wake of the mad cow disease health scare. Scotland's own devolved parliament has made a similar move, raising the prospect of the ban holding force only in England, something English farmers would be up in arms about.
To cap the day off, the Royals and Blair will attend an open-air concert featuring middle-aged Welsh heartthrobs Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey.
But chart-toppers the Manic Street Preachers refused to perform, saying they would never do so for the monarchy.
