Iago in Monmouth

Iago has lived in south Wales for most of his life but is currently studying at Aberystwyth University. Removed from the capital city, albeit briefly, has given Iago the opportunity to look at how devolution works from a slightly different perspective.

Both Cardiff and, even to a greater extent, Aberystwyth, are pro-devolution in his opinion, but Monmouthshire’s views were an unknown quantity to Iago. This was the main reason why he wanted to attend the public event in the county to see for himself the reaction of the people of Monmouth to more law-making powers for the National Assembly.

As Ron Davies once said, "devolution is a process, not an event" and the processes of devolution have certainly impacted on Iago’s daily life. As a student at Aber he has not had to pay top-up fees and was given an Assembly Learning Grant to go back to college. He has been able to get free prescriptions when ill and just last week was told he needed glasses, which he wouldn't have been able to afford if it wasn't for the Assembly Government’s policy.

He’s not the only family member to have benefited from devolution. His disabled mother has been able to get out and about Wales with her free bus pass and his niece has not had to take SATs other children her age in England have had to take.

While his views on devolution did not change after attending the meeting, he was extremely glad to see the people in Monmouth were supportive towards devolution; although unhappy to hear a few xenophobic outbursts towards the Welsh language.

Iago said:

"I have seen Cardiff change so much over the years and recognised more of an appetite for devolution. I moved up to Aberystwyth for University in September and found that people here are more pro-devolution than in Cardiff. I thought it would be interesting to see how people in Monmouthshire felt about Wales' future.

"I think what concerns me at the moment is the fact that if we want to legislate in Wales it has to go back and forth down the M4, which to me is a waste of money, time and resources. I believe power devolved closer to the people can only be a good thing as Welsh people know how to manage their lives and environment better than anyone else. Devolution is essential for the development of our nation and her people.
 
"I am fully supportive in handing down more powers to the Assembly. I also support the idea for it to transform itself into a legislative parliament as enjoyed in Scotland. I feel Wales has not been given a fair deal, due to the fact Scotland and Northern Ireland can create laws for themselves but we are seen as not responsible enough.

"Examples of this can be seen on the issues of housing and the Welsh language; these are Welsh only issues and should be controlled by Ministers in Wales. The Assembly Ministers are more accountable to the people and the establishment is transparent unlike Westminster.

"Another positive is the issue of the political system, which is a lot more reflective of the people it represents by the introduction of proportional representation; people in Wales feel their vote and voice count."