Draft bills, drawing lines and Stephen Crabb's optimism

The St David's Day agreement on Welsh powers: David Cameron and Nick Clegg

Stephen Crabb hopes today's draft Wales Bill will "draw a line" under the arguments about devolution and Welsh assembly powers.

I want to run in next year's Olympic Games. I suspect we will both be disappointed. Reaction to the publication of the bill has been as predictable as night following day for anyone who has spent any time covering Welsh politics.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood says the bill is "feeble" and an "insult". First Minister Carwyn Jones says it creates "an English veto on Welsh laws". And, as I reported on Monday, the chair of the committee that will scrutinise the Welsh legislation says it is another step towards independence.

But Mr Crabb retains the optimism of February's St David's Day agreement launch at the Millennium Stadium. He told me: "It {the bill} gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to draw a line under this ongoing, endless debate that we seem to have in Wales about devolution and further powers and allow both Welsh government and UK government to focus on the issues that really matter to people in Wales - strengthening the economy, getting more jobs into Wales, more investment into Wales and seeing the fruits of economic recovery benefit the whole of Wales."

But with assembly elections taking place next May, there's little sign of Wales's politicians seizing that "once-in-a-generation opportunity". The presiding officer, Dame Rosemary Butler has talked of a "backwards step" for devolution. The key flashpoint appears to be whether, if Welsh laws in devolved areas like health have an impact on reserved areas like policing, Westminster's permission is needed.

The UK government argues that there is parity in the draft bill, with Westminster only legislating in devolved areas with permission from the assembly - so it is only reasonable to enable the reverse.

Mr Crabb hopes to produce "the real legislation" in February next year but finding consensus within three months of a Welsh general election may prove a challenge.