Tory candidate ‘worried’ that Senedd is being used to push independence

A Tory candidate is “worried” that the Senedd is being used to push for independence.

Charlie Evans, who is standing in Dwyfor Meirionnydd, has insisted that he doesn’t want to abolish Wales’ national parliament, but suggested it was being used to “promote separatism”.

The candidate added that he wanted to see more “localism”, where more power was devolved to local authorities.

He also said that the Conservatives shouldn’t do a deal with Abolish the Assembly to form the next Welsh Government, following reports that his party’s leader in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, had refused to rule one out.

He told Golwg360: “My only worry is that the Senedd, over the past few years, has been used by separatists to push the independence cause.

“That’s why worry with the present settlement. However, I don’t believe in abolishing the Senedd. I think it should continue to exist.

“But I also believe we should have more localism as well by devolving power to local authorities.

“Therefore, on this specific question, I’m not in favour of abolition, but there are real worries that the mechanism of the institution is being used to promote separatism.”

‘Deal with Abolish’

When asked about reports on WalesOnline that the Conservative leader in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, had refused to rule out a deal with Abolish the Assembly to form a government, he said: “No bargains. That’s my position.

“According to the opinion polls we’re really close to being the second biggest party in the Senedd. Therefore, our strategy probably will be to form a minority government.

“If there are specific issues where other parties, such as Plaid, Abolish, or whoever else in the Senedd, want to support us, through for example getting rid of NVZ (nitrate vulnerable zone) regulations, I’m sure we’d welcome that.

“But there won’t be pacts, there won’t be election bargains. If we’re the largest party we’d definitely want to form a minority government with Andrew RT Davies as First Minister.

When Andrew RT Davies was asked if he would rule out a deal with Abolish unequivocally, he said: “I see no reason why we want to work with Abolish whatsoever.”