Huw Evans & Alan Sandry February 2021 A Proposed Constitution for an Independent Wales Huw Evans & Alan Sandry February 2021 1 Huw Evans & Alan Sandry February 2021 Contents Preface .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. 5 Declaration Regarding Funding ........................................................................................................... 5 About the Authors .............................................................................................................................. 5 Contact Details .................................................................................................................................... 5 References .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Constitution of Wales .............................................................................................................................. 6 Preamble ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Sovereignty and State Accountability ................................................................................................. 6 1. Sovereignty of the People and State Accountability................................................................... 6 The Welsh State .................................................................................................................................. 7 2. Name of the State ....................................................................................................................... 7 3. The Territory of Wales and Extended Jurisdiction ...................................................................... 7 4. Languages of State etc. ............................................................................................................... 7 5. Form of State and Government .................................................................................................. 7 6. Symbols of Wales ........................................................................................................................ 7 Welsh Citizenship ................................................................................................................................ 7 7. Citizenship of Wales .................................................................................................................... 7 Democratic Values and Principles ....................................................................................................... 8 8. The Rule of Law ........................................................................................................................... 8 9. Equality before the Law .............................................................................................................. 8 10. Respect for Human Rights: European Convention on Human Rights ....................................... 8 11. Respect for Human Rights: Other International Instruments etc ............................................. 9 12. Social Justice ............................................................................................................................. 9 13. Principle of Veracity ................................................................................................................ 10 Welsh Institutions and Related Provision ......................................................................................... 10 14. Head of State ........................................................................................................................... 10 15. Functions of the Office of the Arlywydd ................................................................................. 10 16. Term of Office of Arlywydd and Timing of Arlywydd Elections .............................................. 10 17. Election of Arlywydd ............................................................................................................... 11 18. Arlywydd Oath or Affirmation................................................................................................. 11 19. Ceasing Holding Office as Arlywydd ........................................................................................ 11 20. Funding of Arlywydd ............................................................................................................... 11 2 Huw Evans & Alan Sandry February 2021 21. Powers of Arlywydd ................................................................................................................ 11 22. Deputy Head of State .............................................................................................................. 11 23. Ceasing being Dirprwy Arlywydd ............................................................................................ 12 24. Dirprwy Arlywydd Oath or Affirmation ................................................................................... 12 25. Disqualification from office as Arlywydd or Dirprwy Arlywydd .............................................. 12 26. Legislature ............................................................................................................................... 13 27. Standing Orders ...................................................................................................................... 13 28. Suffrage ................................................................................................................................... 13 29. Acts of the Senedd .................................................................................................................. 13 30. Executive ................................................................................................................................. 14 31. The First Minister .................................................................................................................... 14 32. Choice of First Minister ........................................................................................................... 14 33. Welsh Ministers ...................................................................................................................... 15 34. The Wales Public Service......................................................................................................... 15 35. Local Government ................................................................................................................... 15 36. Legal Jurisdiction and Court System etc ................................................................................. 16 37. Supreme Court of Wales: Supplementary .............................................................................. 16 38. Independence of the Judiciary ................................................................................................ 16 International Relations ..................................................................................................................... 16 39. International Relations and Foreign Policy ............................................................................. 16 40. International Organisations .................................................................................................... 16 41. Ratification of International Agreements ............................................................................... 17 42. Customary International law .................................................................................................. 17 43. Incorporation of International Agreements into Welsh Law .................................................. 17 Sustainable Development, Well-being, and the Environment etc. .................................................. 17 44. Sustainable Development ....................................................................................................... 17 45. Promotion of Individual Well-being ........................................................................................ 18 46. Promotion of Individual Well-being: children ......................................................................... 18 47. The Environment ..................................................................................................................... 18 48. Natural Resources ................................................................................................................... 18 Amendment of Constitution ............................................................................................................. 18 49. Amendment of Constitution ................................................................................................... 18 Derogation due to Emergency .......................................................................................................... 19 50. Derogation from Constitution in time of emergency ............................................................. 19 3 Huw Evans & Alan Sandry February 2021 Transitional ....................................................................................................................................... 19 51. Continuity of Law ...................................................................................................................