Llywydd, before the summer recess, I made a statement to Members setting out in more detail the plans for an independent commission on the constitutional future of Wales. And today, I am able to continue sharing with you the progress that we have made since then, and in particular regarding appointments to the independent commission and publication of the broad objectives.

Llywydd, the Welsh Government believes that our union of four nations is under pressure like never before and that there is now an urgent need for reform. In order to achieve this, we have consistently endeavoured to engage with the United Kingdom Government constructively. For our part, as Members will know, we have repeatedly attempted to stimulate debate about a viable future for the United Kingdom.

In 2017, we published 'Brexit and Devolution', which set out our proposals for a positive and creative response to the constitutional implications of EU exit. And in 2019, 'Reforming our Union' set out our 20 propositions for the future governance of the UK, and we published an updated version earlier this year. However, their only response seems to be to try to assert a kind of muscular unionism, seeking more control from the centre, encroaching onto matters of devolved competence and demonstrating its respect for our Senedd through breaches of the Sewel convention and an undermining of the devolution settlement and Welsh democracy.

These issues are not about some bland constitutional debate between political parties or Governments, but they go to the heart of our democracy, and in our view, the case for constitutional reform is rooted in the empowerment of the people of Wales, enabling decisions that have impact on the well-being of our communities and nation to be taken as close to people as possible. The establishment of the independent commission is the next step in that debate. The time is right for a serious national conversation in Wales about the options for our future.