WELSH independence supporters have welcomed a new constitutional report finding devolution as it stands is “not sustainable” — and that independence is a viable option.

The cross-party Independent Constitutional Commission set out three options including enhanced devolution, federalism and independence that it said could secure the future of Wales, but declined to say which solution it favoured.

The Welsh government set up the commission in August 2021 with a cross-party membership under co-chairs Professor Laura McAllister and former Archbishop of Canterbury Doctor Rowan Willams.

The commission has said that it is for the people of Wales to decide on its future but has made 10 recommendations it believes will strengthen devolution and guard against interference in devolved matters by the Westminster government.

The recommendations range from legislation at Westminster to protect devolved powers, removal of financial constraints on the Welsh government, devolution of rail services and justice and policing, and devolving the Crown Estates to Wales, as they are in Scotland. 

In a launch event at the Senedd both co-chairs were sharply critical of successive UK government decisions which breach the Sewell Convention that it should not legislate on devolved matters.

In a sharp rebuke to the Conservative government in Westminster, Professor McAllister said: “The status quo is not an option as it is threatened by the UK government’s attitude to Wales.”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said the report was “groundbreaking” and called it a “very significant step forward in terms of the constitutional debate in Wales.” 

Mr ap Iorwerth said steps needed to be taken to build on the current settlement and to strengthen Welsh democracy with immediate effect.

“This report paints a clear picture that neither an enhanced devolution — and certainly not federalism — will provide the long-term answers we really need,” Mr ap Iorwerth said. 

“Whilst seeking that path to independence inherently comes with challenges, we balance that against what the report tells us about the rewards.

“Steps need to be taken immediately to build on the current settlement and we will be urging the implementation of the series of recommendations on strengthening Welsh democracy.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford welcomed the report and said: “The final report is an important moment in the debate on the constitutional journey of Wales.”

The First Minister will make a statement to the Senedd on January 30, which will provide it with an initial opportunity to discuss the report.

Wales TUC national officer Julie Cook said: “We strongly welcome the Independent Commission’s final report.

“Our research consistently shows that a clear majority of workers in Wales are pro-devolution and want most policy decisions to be taken in Wales.”

Wales TUC general secretary Shavanah Taj was a commissioner on the Independent Commission and hailed the “landmark” report.

She said: “We’ve endured years of a Conservative UK government that has often been openly hostile to the devolved settlement and that has systematically short-changed the Welsh government on funding.”

Jo Stevens, UK Labour’s shadow secretary of state for Wales, said: “Labour is the party of devolution and we are committed to reinforcing the status of the Senedd and pushing power out of Westminster and into the hands of communities.

“A Labour government in Westminster and Cardiff Bay will work together in a true partnership, driving change across the UK after 14 years of Tory decline.”

But Ms Stevens was silent on the commission’s specific recommendations for greater powers over tax, the economy, railways and the justice system.

Independence campaigners YesCymru and the Green Party Cymru both welcomed the report for saying independence was a viable option.

Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter said: “Greens believe that independence is not just viable, as the report says, but essential to building the fairer, greener future for Wales that we know is possible.”

A Yes Cymru spokesperson said: “It’s perfectly clear that the UK is not an equal partnership of nations as Westminster politicians often like to claim.

“The only guaranteed way of ensuring that Wales has control of its own destiny is to break free from Westminster and become independent.”