Land of my father's fathers...

Can't imagine this is going to be a very popular idea but Lord Garel-Jones (former Tory Minister for Europe back in the 90s) has told the All Wales Convention that the people in Wales shouldn't be the only ones who have a say on whether or not the Assembly gets more powers but Welsh people everywhere should be allowed to get in on the action...

He points out that several countries across Europe allow non-residents to vote in elections.

It's an interesting argument and those who have what Lord Garel-Jones calls a “patrial connection” with Wales would certainly add to the debate and take it beyond the border. But if you've left the country then how much of a right do you really have to dictate to those of us who still live here how we're governed?

And how Welsh would you have to be to get to vote?

Lord Garel-Jones says: “Clearly one wouldn't want to reach the point where a couple of hundred thousand people in Southern Argentina, who left Wales in 1850 were voting, but I think if the principle of Welshness is accepted then I think it would be good.”

Fair point. But how do we determine who's Welsh enough and who's not? Show of hands?

Not sure this one's going to happen somehow...

Dewi Tri