The Queen was in Cardiff yesterday to open the Fourth Assembly.
The First Minister Carwyn Jones welcomed Her Majesty the Queen and said: “Today marks a new chapter for Wales. The historic vote on law making powers means that for the first time this institution will be able to introduce laws on devolved subjects without first needing to seek the powers from the UK Parliament.
“However, this new Welsh Government will not create legislation for the sake of it. These are challenging times and our focus will be to work tirelessly to improve public services in Wales and create opportunities for everyone. It is our job to protect the interests of our people and stand up for Wales.”
The ceremony marks the start of the Assembly’s business for new and returning Assembly Members following the election on the May 5.
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones did not attend the ceremony because he had already made arrangements to be away before the date of the opening had been announced. The Conservatives and Labour criticised Mr Jones as “disrespectful”.
South Wales East AM Jocelyn Davies took his place in the line-up of party leaders greeting the Queen.
Fellow South Wales East AM and former Caerphilly Council leader Lindsay Whittle did not attend the ceremony.
not strictly true. The Queen wasn't in Cardiff to "open the Fourth Assembly". That is a popular misconception. The Assembly was opening, and she was one of the guests invited to speak at it. The Assembly could have opened without her being there, or without ANYONE being there really. The Queen's visit, the Judges parading, etc, was all "ceremony" invented to give the whole thing a sense of occasion. But the Assembly could have "opened" with a schookid cutting a ribbon, and it would have been as constitutionally valid.
If the Queen was not in Cardiff to open the Assembly I wonder what she had in mind? A little shopping in Queen Street perhaps? This talking shop is actually owned by the Queen, as are the law courts, much of the governmental machinery and the armed forces of Gt. Britain.
We do not live in a republic and, though I am not a royalist, I believe a degree of courtesy is due to the head of state.