Referendum Time...

While a referendum on further powers is very much part of the political debate in Wales, it’s going a little further in Greenland, who vote today on a greater level of autonomy.

Colonised in 1721, the island gained basic self-determination in 1979 from Denmark, except in defence and foreign policy and, according to polls, is expected to vote in favour.

The stimulus is the possibility of extracting large amounts of oil from Greenland’s waters – with the US Geological Survey estimating around 31.4 billion barrels of oil.

The new contract between Greenland and Denmark would see them share the profits; Greenland taking the first 10 million Euro and then taking a 50 per cent cut up until 430 million Euro – matching the subsidies that Greenland receives from Denmark under the current system.

I don’t know enough about the Greenland situation to discuss parallels in any depth, but some of the arguments and attitudes seem similar to what happens in Wales.

These attitudes vary between those who see Tuesday’s vote and the oil issue as being a step towards independence, those who think that this level of devolution will be the most successful form of governance for the island, and, it seems as always, those who think that being in charge of your own affairs is a poor idea.

Small in population and a long way from the government in Copenhagen, the results and consequences for Greenlanders will be very interesting.

David Davies? No!

Following a year of phoney war about the referendum on devolving further powers to the Assembly, in which few people (well, outside Plaid!) have really tied their colours to the mast, the campaign lurched into activity yesterday with David Davies (not the Barry swimmer!) fronting the nascent 'No' campaign.

There's more in today's Western Mail, with a former Labour councillor in Islwyn saying that he will have no problem backing the ultra-right wing Tory.

Personally, I welcome the creation of a 'no' campaign. A conversation between people who agree with each other, as most do in Welsh politics, is no substitute for the cut and thrust of debate and discussion which must be held at as public a level of possible, to involve the entire population.

Saying 'no', of course, is very easy, but it's up to us to debunk the myths and lies that the 'no' campaign will throw at us.

Timing is everything in politics and, as a supporter of the 'Yes' campaign, I'm rather glad that Davies has chosen this week to make his pledge, as it will certainly concentrate Plaid minds on the task ahead and fire the imagination ahead of National Conference.

It's time to get out there and campaign for the 'Yes' vote.