Why I’m voting Yes
Rebecca Williams is a member of the Tomorrow’s Wales Executive. Here’s why she’ll be voting Yes in the forthcoming referendum on primary lawmaking powers for the Assembly.
Devolution is what makes my job worthwhile. I’m the Policy Officer for Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (UCAC), a trade union which represents 5000 teachers and lecturers across Wales. Almost every aspect of education policy is devolved, from nursery to higher education and lifelong learning. And the Welsh Assembly Government has certainly made the most of its powers in this field.
The Foundation Phase is probably the most notable example of the government’s pioneering approach; it is the phase of education for 3-7 year-olds which is based on Scandinavian-style learning through play. The Welsh model has attracted international attention and plaudits, whilst winning over many fans amongst parents, teachers and children here in Wales. The Welsh Baccalaureate (“Welsh Bac”), which expands the learning experiences of 14-19 year-olds, is another example of successful Welsh education policy that has received the praise of education experts.
It isn’t just the development of new and original Welsh education policy that has gained the admiration of the education establishment in Wales, but also the Assembly Government’s success in steering away from some of the most damaging and unpopular policies from across the border. You only have to mention ‘SATs’ and ‘Academies’ to see a “there but for the grace of god” look flutter over the face of most teachers in Wales.
Some years ago, I worked for a London-based campaigning organisation, attempting to influence Westminster policy. As a result, I can vouch for the fact that trying to influence policy in Westminster and in Cardiff are two very different experiences – the former akin to banging your head against a wall, whilst the latter always allows a fighting chance. I was pleasantly surprised to see how ready Assembly Members, and indeed Ministers, were to discuss policy matters with organisations that have expertise in the field – and crucially, to take note of those expert opinions. For me, the difference is that the Welsh Government and the National Assembly see the policy-making process as a partnership between politicians and the people of Wales; there is a tacit acknowledgement that politicians don’t, and can’t, know everything, and that the expertise necessary for sensible policy-making resides in civil society.
But we haven’t reached the end of the road yet – things could be better still. As I said at the beginning, almost every aspect of education policy is devolved, but there remain some substantial gaps. The most important of these is the power to regulate teachers’ pay and conditions of service. UCAC believes that the only way to ensure that the specific circumstances of Wales’s teachers are taken into account in defining their pay and conditions, is for the power to be devolved to the Welsh Government. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long!