'Welsh solutions'
So yesterday, there we were waving farewell as the sixteen core members of the All Wales Convention set off on their journey to discover whether we're ready for a referendum or not, let alone ready for gaining the powers in one fell swoop that would put us in something like Scotland's position.
Today it's back to the day job, back to the process of bidding for powers from Westminster, issue by issue, that will lead to those 'Welsh solutions' to 'Welsh problems' we've heard much about.
In other words Rhodri Morgan will this afternoon be announcing to the Assembly what the Labour Plaid coalition government's legislative plans are for the coming year. And yes, I know we've been billing it as the Assembly's equivalent of the Queen's Speech - but be warned. There'll be no pomp, no ceremony, no men in tights.
We are talking salami slicing of powers after all. It'll be more Black Pudding than Black Rod - more solid than showy.
How do they gain those new powers? To those of you unfamiliar with the wonderful world of Legislative Competence Orders or LCOs (pronounced by most of us a bit like Tesco's) it goes a bit like this:
The Government, an Assembly Member of any political hue, or even Jones Public has an idea. They put that idea to the rest of the Assembly and if they think it's a good one, it's drafted into an LCO - or a bid for competenc/power - and off it goes for scrutiny: scrutiny in Cardiff Bay, scrutiny by the Welsh Affairs Committee in Westminster. (Cue headlines about bubbling tension between the two institutions). The scope of the LCO is narrowed, or redrafted a bit. (Cue headlines about MPs cramping AMs' style). More scrutiny.
It's debated in both Houses, it gets Royal Assent and finally, after a longer time than most had anticipated, it gets one of these.
In last year's speech Rhodri Morgan set six LCOs on their way, requests for powers in the areas of child poverty and assisting vulnerable children; environmental protection and waste management; charges for home care and other non-residential social services; affordable housing; the Welsh language and powers to enable a substantial restructuring of the statementing system in special education.
Over twelve months, just two have made it through the political pipeline. So expect to hear this afternoon how the government intends to use its new powers to ensure charges for home care and the quality of care are rather more consistent across Wales, expect tackling child poverty and affordable housing to be at the top of the First MInister's agenda.
But will he start many more balls rolling? Will the coalition government set off more LCOs on that tortuous journey or will the emphasis this time round be rather more on using what they've already got? Wouldn't it make more sense to start using those powers to come up with the much anticipated Welsh measures, or laws - the first new made-in-Wales, for-Wales-only-laws, in around a thousand years?
After all, ask the devo-sceptics and newly coined devo-realists, can you really ask a Convention to ask a nation whether it wants more new powers, before you've truly shown it how you plan to use what you've just got your hands on?
Rhodri Morgan gave his only hint this morning on Radio Wales:
"We don't want to raise people's hopes too high that there is a legislative solution to every problem in society and the economy - there isn't ... People will always be frustrated but that doesn't really worry me because we are still in year one going into year two."
So was the government guilty of raising people's hopes too high last year?
If your old Mum is paying through the nose for homecare or you're desperate to ban plastic bags and you're still waiting for 'the Welsh solution' to your problem, you may well think so.
If you're a Conservative or Liberal Democrat AM, you almost certainly think so.
If you have an eye on yet more powers for the Welsh Assembly, then I suspect you'll simply have stood back and applauded their ambition.
I'm Betsan Powys, BBC Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on 
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We have a tame 'specially selected' committee, to measure public support for full law-making powers for the assembly.
WHY !
So Wales is finally doing away with those messy, unpredictable elections are they.
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I'll agree with noahsembly - why do we need the convention when an overwhelming majority of AMs want more devolution? Note they're all singing Plaid's song.
And it's obvious that we need more powers just to get rid of the current sytem.
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Yes - funny how the AMs want more powers isn't it? Surely they're not thinking about the money they'll get on top of their 8.3%, are they? Or about the possibility of even more occasions in which they can do a bit of self-important swanning around. I hope there'll be well-publicised meetings at which we, the people, can express real views, but I suspect that, as is usually the case with Assembly 'public consultations', friendly voices will be sought out and a pro-Assembly gloss put on any findings, followed by shameless propaganda from BBC Wales. I would certainly be interested to know the current stance of each member of the committee. Are any of them sceptics?
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Considering there is generally greater concenus among AMs for the need for greater Welsh authority, I would think that the slow consultative appoach here would reassure anti-devolutionists somewhat.
I guess you can't win for losing.
Anyway, the whole process of assembly measures is counter-intuitive. The "supervision" from London is patronizing, and is more akin to a parent teaching their children how to balance a check-book. "Wales" is not a child needing instruction in how to balance their check book.
Wales is a nation of people with professionals capable of debate and formulating policies on their own, and executing these policies.
Why would the Assembly have to justify beforhand to London how or what they will legislate? Why do some people in Wales feel they are *not* competant to govern themselves? This inferiority complex exhibited by some is the most disturbing manifestation of devolution in my opinion.
Trust in yourself!*
(*By "yourself", I mean as a nation represented by an elected assembly :) )
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will archwhinger henrybolingbroke actually go to one of these meetings or will he be sat at home with his 2 finger typing and crayons moaning and sniping about Wales rather than getting onboard. If you want an example of a waste of money sunshine try looking at Westminster, try looking at the6 or so billion pounds we spend fighting on 2 fronts in afghanistan and iraq. Do you really think that AMs want more powers for money rather than doing the job?
If Westminster has been so good for Wales, boys, tell me how come we have been up the creek without a paddle so many times? The Assembly's is far from perfect but i would rather it to the shower over the dyke. Do you think this LCO system is the best we can do? - its an absolute mess. obviously from what i have read both Henry and Noah are from the school of 'more powers - means independence' and in that they show why they should be sticking to the colouring books.
More powers means AMs having the tools to do the job properly. however If the people of Wales then want independence a stronger union with the rest of the UK or wants to unite with Andorra then it is up to them.
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Don't worry, Fergatron, I'll be there if they fulfill their promise to hold meetings. I will be amazed, of course, if they actually happen and even more so if they are publicised. I suspect that only a select few will be invited to attend. That's how the WAG operates. By the way, the crayons should be given to AMs - it would keep them gainfully occupied and they would do less damage.
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Does anyone know what is happening with the environmental protection and waste management LC? It appears to be taking longer to progress than other LCOs which started proceedings at the same time.
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What is Harry on about? His view is a pessimistic and typical argument of those who believe that all politicans are out to get us and enrich their own lives. I think his views haven't been properly researched and are possibly more relevant to the Westminster government.
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The idea that the primary motive force for Assembly members to back an increase in powers for the National Assembly is so that their salary will be increased is absurd. It really doesn't justify any discussion, just dismissal out of hand. If the commission follows the same route as the Richard Commission and the commission on local government then there will be public meetings. How well attended they will be is another thing.
One of the problems with the current system is that you need a LCO before you can change any law.. and the scrutiny seems very much along the lines of justify what you are going to use it for... thus the Assembly can't really have any meaningful independent legislative agenda until it has full powers to legislate in devolved subject areas not very narrowly defined fields as at present.
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