Cameron considers more devolution

They don't have me breathing down their neck David Cameron

Conservative leader David Cameron has said he is, "in general," in favour of more devolution in Wales.

But Mr Cameron, at the party conference in Bournemouth, said the issue was not just about assemblies and parliaments.

Meanwhile, Welsh Conservatives said they would hold a referendum on the Welsh assembly's powers if they win the next general election.

But the party's MPs and AMs would be free to campaign against each other in the run-up to any vote.

A spokesman for the Welsh Conservatives said there would be no official line from a future Tory government on which way to vote.

Voters would be asked whether the assembly should be given full law-making powers in devolved areas. Party members would be free to join either the "yes" or "no" campaign.

Analysis: More powers? But not in a hurry

Holding a referendum, under the new Government of Wales Act, would require the support of Parliament and two thirds of AMs.

But Conservatives admitted there was no timetable for holding a vote.

The party's assembly leader, Nick Bourne, says he would campaign for the assembly to have more powers, but party sources recognise that MPs and AMs are divided on the issue.

Meanwhile, Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said she would support more devolution to the assembly government if that was what people in Wales wanted.

The party has debated devolution for the first time in seven years .

Both Mr Cameron and Mrs Gillan spoke about the issue in interviews with BBC Wales on Tuesday.

Conservatives campaigned against devolution in 1999 and opposed recent legislation to boost the assembly's powers because of controversial changes to the electoral system contained in the latest Government of Wales Act.

Asked about more powers for the assembly, he said: "We are prepared to look at that but I think what is more important is actually trying to make the system work as it is and getting things done."

He said: "In general I'm in favour of more devolution. The more you can give control to people over their lives the better.

The shadow Welsh secretary told the party to embrace devolution

"Let's not pretend that devolution is just about assemblies and parliaments.

"It's not. It's about giving people more control over their own lives."

Mr Cameron said his party would offer improved public services at next May's elections to the assembly and that Welsh Conservatives were free to come up with their own policies.

He added: "This is an important issue (devolution) but I think even more important than endlessly going over the particular nature of the devolution in Wales is the priorities of the Conservative party.

"The Welsh Conservatives are free to develop policies that are good for the people of Wales.

"They don't have me breathing down their neck. I don't sit here and say 'Nick (Nick Bourne, Welsh Conservative Assembly leader) we have got to form this policy and that alliance."

Mrs Gillan told party members to embrace devolution in her speech to the conference.

Asked whether she would campaign for a "Yes" vote, she said: "I have always said that I could see in the future - in an assembly that is working well - Conservatives actually campaigning in that way for a vote."

Speaking at the conference, she attacked Labour's "miserable" record, saying it presented the Conservatives with a perfect opportunity at the assembly elections next May.