Tory study urges devolution probe

By Adrian Browne
Political reporter

Wyn, now Lord, Roberts was the longest-serving Welsh Office minister

A Conservative Party review of Welsh devolution has concluded the system is not working as it should and has failed to win the hearts of people.

Lord Roberts' interim report calls for an investigation of the system if the party wins the next general election.

The review states the party might back a referendum on further powers if the case were proven in the future.

Plaid Cymru accused them of being "inherently anti-devolution, while Lib Dems said the report was a "fudge".

Party leader David Cameron set up the review, saying he wanted the party to "settle" the Conservatives' position on further powers for the Welsh assembly.

He said he wanted to set aside the issue so the party could concentrate on the issues that matter "on the doorsteps" and "in the pubs".

But, far from settling the matter, the report by former Welsh Office minister Wyn Roberts calls for a future Conservative government to "initiate a root-and-branch examination of the system of governance in Wales and its effectiveness as it has developed since 1997, taking full account of the relationship with other parts of the United Kingdom".

This is very much a living document and will continue to be updated and revised in light of the ever changing situation regarding devolution Nick Bourne [L] and Cheryl Gillan, Welsh Conservative leaders

Warning that the issue should be "settled in the broad public interest not in anyone's narrow partisan interest" the report states that the argument for further powers is a "case unproven".

The report says that if this more extensive investigation concludes that more law-making powers should be transferred to Cardiff Bay, "it will be for the assembly to initiate the referendum process and for the Conservative government at Westminster to consider the proposal on its merits".

The document stresses that the party is "in no way opposed to devolution" and wants the system to be a "success".

Assembly governments since 1999 - which have been led by Labour either on its own or in coalition with Liberal Democrats or Plaid - are accused by Lord Roberts of "consistent under-performance", in health and economic matters "particularly but not exclusively".

The report predicts that a referendum on further devolution from London to Cardiff is "unlikely" before the next general election, but that if one were to take place party members should be free to campaign as they wish.

As the summary of what the Conservatives called his "on-going review" was published, Lord Roberts said he would be "continuing to review and update developments for David Cameron and the party."

'In crisis'

In a joint statement, Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan and party assembly leader Nick Bourne said "This is very much a living document and will continue to be updated and revised in light of the ever changing situation regarding devolution.

"We welcome Wyn's practical recommendations and his characteristic emphasis on the delivery of economic development and first class services for the people of Wales.

"His contribution to date and future contributions from Lord Roberts will help inform our policy development in the run up to the general election".

But Plaid parliamentary leader Elfyn Llywd accused the Conservatives of having "no interest in the future of devolution in Wales".

"They are struggling to make themselves relevant within the new political climate and are obviously in crisis internally," he said.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German said the review had "done nothing to address the Tories' deep divisions on this key issue".

"David Cameron wanted this issue settled nine months ago. He must be disappointed that such a long gestation has produced a fudge, not a solution, " he added.