The decision to end smelting operations at Anglesey Aluminium later this year is likely to add to the pressure to resolve the issue of Wylfa nuclear power station.
Islanders will be keen not to see another local employer close down, whilst the employment involved in constructing and operatng a new facility will be very welcome in an area facing the imminent loss of 500 jobs. Deputy First Minister and local AM, Ieuan Wyn Jones cannot have been very happy therefore to see his government colleague, Environment Minister Jane Davidson, calling for a public inquiry into plans that could see a new nuclear power station built in Wales.
Ms. Davidson has announced that she is standing down in 2011 and some might conclude that she is a bit demob-happy. Normally, it is opposition politicians who call for public inquiries. They are expensive and time-consuming and for that reason Ministers tend to resist them. The odds of her agreeing to such an inquiry into an area she has direct budgetary responsibility for are remote. Still it is likely that in this case such an inquiry is the best way to get some transparency and accountability into the process.
Nevertheless, Ieuan Wyn Jones and the good citizens of Anglesey will be hoping that things do not take too long.
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