MONMOUTH MP David Davies has confirmed he will be voting no in March’s referendum on further powers for the Welsh Assembly.
A founding member of True Wales, the official No campaign, Mr Davies has long been a fierce critic of the Assembly. He helped to set up and run the anti-Assembly No campaign in the Welsh devolution referendum of 1997 and remains firmly opposed to more powers being transferred to Cardiff Bay.
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Davies said: “When I was elected as Chairman of the Welsh Affairs Committee last year, I stated I would not participate in the True Wales campaign to oppose extra powers for the Assembly as I didn’t want to be seen as using my position to push my own views on devolution unfairly.
“I also feel that with so many other important issues to deal with, I can’t justify spending large amounts of time campaigning on an issue which seems to be of little interest to most of those I talk to.
“However, a number of constituents have contacted me to ask how I intend voting on 3rd March and I think it’s only fair that I should be open about what my view is.
“We now have a Parliament in Scotland, an Assembly in Wales and nothing at all in England. As a Welsh MP I can vote to change the health service in England, but English MPs have no say over what happens in Wales. Handing further powers to Wales without addressing the democratic deficit in England will simply increase the strain on the Union rather than strengthening it.
“As far as I’m concerned, the Assembly has done nothing to justify giving it more powers. The NHS in Wales is in a deplorable state. We have longer waiting lists than England and patients complain to me about being unable to get cancer treatments which would be available if they lived on the other side of the border.
“It is a well known fact that council tax bills have gone through the roof since the Assembly was established. It is also worth remembering that the Assembly depends on subsidies from the UK Government, which would end if Wales became an independent state. Furthermore, I am not confident that laws passed by the Assembly would be scrutinised in Cardiff Bay as fully as laws passed by Westminster.
“When the idea of an Assembly was first mooted, I was concerned that it would cost a cast amount of money and would be used as a stepping stone towards an independent Wales. It has certainly cost more money and the Assembly has already gained many extra powers since the original referendum. If there is a Yes vote, then it won’t be long before AMs want even more powers. We are on a one way street and the final destination is an independent Wales.
“I understand that most AMs, including Conservatives, will be voting Yes in the referendum. Clearly, I find myself at odds with them but I would like to assure my constituents that this will in no way affect my working relationship with them”.