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Welsh Conservatives ‘considering split’ from English party

11 Jun 2022 3 minute read
Left, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies. Picture by Senedd Cymru. Right, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture by Annika Haas (CC BY 2.0).

The Welsh Conservatives are considering ‘splitting’ from the UK party – according to the Telegraph newspaper.

After disappointing results at the 2021 Senedd election, the Conservative party in Wales have decided that “clear blue water” is needed between the Tories in Wales and England.

A source told the Telegraph newspaper – the Conservative party’s broadsheet of choice – that they were looking to move “into a more Welsh-focused direction”.

The aim was the “creation of a number of policies in the pipeline that will appeal more uniquely to the Welsh electorate, whilst maintaining a strong Unionist position”.

“There will be clear blue water between both sides,” the source said, in a reference to Rhodri Morgan’s ‘clear red water’ speech – co-written by current First Minister Mark Drakeford, which declared Welsh Labour’s semi-detached status from the UK party.

“We will rebrand the Welsh Conservatives and run different policies to the ones Westminster produces,” the Conservative source continued.

“Welsh Conservatives want Welsh-focused answers to Welsh issues that arise in the devolved competencies.

“The mood is very much of abandonment by Boris. Senedd members were not even invited to Number 10 after the election.”

‘Values’

Not all Welsh Conservatives were said to be onboard, however, with the Senedd Member for Brecon and Radnorshire, James Evans, among those who opposed the plan.

The Welsh Conservatives made a starting bid for a semi-detached status to the UK party before this year’s conference, saying that Wales should get its share of money from HS2 to invest in Wales’ rail infrastructure.

The UK Government has classed HS2 as an ‘England and Wales’ project meaning that Wales will not benefit in the same way as Scotland and Northern Ireland from additional rail funding as a result of the project.

Speaking at the start of the Welsh Conservative conference, however, Andrew RT Davies said that additional funding should now come to Wales.

“We’re making the case that Wales should receive its fair share of HS2 spending,” he said in his speech.

Andrew RT Davies however declined to comment to the Telegraph on whether they would seek a split from the UK party.

“We’re proud to work with our colleagues in Westminster in delivering solutions to the cost of living crisis and assisting Ukraine,” he said.

“Over the coming years, we will continue to make the case for a Welsh Conservative government with conservative values that reflect the values of the people of Wales and create a strong Wales in a strong UK.”


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Cathy Jones
Cathy Jones
1 year ago

Oh dear… a split from the main party and a split within the Welsh Conservatives already… When Welsh Labour did so it was with consensus and decorum, the Tories are already squabbling amongst themselves. Good on them though, at least we can say they are slightly less morally reprehensible, but I shan’t ever vote for them, there is nothing they can offer than isn’t offered by Labour and Plaid. …However, if the right people keep their heads and make some bold moves, perhaps what remains of the Welsh Conservatives after any divisions are sorted out could start at least offering… Read more »

SundanceKid
SundanceKid
1 year ago
Reply to  Cathy Jones

When did Welsh Labour split from the main party?

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 year ago
Reply to  SundanceKid

Correct. Mark Drakeford & Welsh Labour are still answerable to English Labour and Keir Starmer. The only true Welsh party & leader is Plaid Cymru. & Adam Price.

Craig Ab Iago
Craig Ab Iago
1 year ago
Reply to  SundanceKid

This split will be as much of a “split” as the Labour in Wales “split”. In tagline only. “Clear (colour of your choice) Water”.

Ernie The Smallholder
Ernie The Smallholder
1 year ago
Reply to  SundanceKid

The only UK parties that did effectively devolve from its parent parties happened in Northern Ireland. The Alliance party is a member of ALDE and quite separate from the Liberal democrats in England, Scotland & Wales which are also members of ALDE. Similarly, the NI SDLP is separate from UK Labour, but remain affiliated at the European level. Both Labour & Lib Dems would need to be independent from the UK parties enabling them to properly represent the Welsh people – And they will be better for for the move to greater independence. The problem for the Conservatives is not… Read more »

SundanceKid
SundanceKid
1 year ago
Reply to  SundanceKid

Drakeford can declare all he likes, the Welsh Labour party is still attached to the UK Labour party. It is a Welsh “branch” office, nothing more!

SundanceKid
SundanceKid
1 year ago

This is solely because they have been told they are too “anti-Welsh” to win in Wales. So predictable.

Last edited 1 year ago by SundanceKid
Quornby
Quornby
1 year ago
Reply to  SundanceKid

Yes like actors being told they are “too Welsh”.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 year ago

This is a ploy thought up by Tory central office. Sorry to deflate your blue bubble Andrew, This can never be. Unfortunately you are just not First Minister material or will the Conservatives ever be though of by the electorate as a Welsh party. You are merely a branch office manager of an English party who just happens to have an outpost in Wales.

SundanceKid
SundanceKid
1 year ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

RT is playing the same card as Drakeford, although both are seemingly too naive to grasp the fact that as long as these unionist parties see Wales and Scotland as a route to No. 10 based on the number of seats they can gain, or suspect any pesky attempt to break away from the union, they will NEVER allow the “Welsh” Conservatives or Labour to break away.

Last edited 1 year ago by SundanceKid
Erisian
Erisian
1 year ago

Fel dwedodd Terry Pratchett “Dyw’r llewpard ddim yn gallu newid ei streipiau”

Cofid
Cofid
1 year ago

No matter how hard they try, there is surely no such thing as a Welsh Conservative.

Llinos
Llinos
1 year ago

Oh God! There goes my breakfast! Why Nation Cymru, WHY?! ARTD and dePfeffell!
Let’s be honest, there is no way the Tories in Wales will split from the English Tories. Slavish adoration of their masters is all the Welsh Tories know. They have proven over and over again, their answer to any question is WWBD? What would Boris do? The only thing the Tories in Wales could do to maker our nation better is disband. Simply disband

Mr Williams
Mr Williams
1 year ago

I advise them to now start campaigning for the best interests of Wales and the Welsh people, instead of telling us to know our place.

Gaynor Jones
Gaynor Jones
1 year ago

Why not? Tad embarrassing for the Labour party of England in Wales then. Hilarious

Llinos
Llinos
1 year ago
Reply to  Gaynor Jones

Welsh Labour should be embarrassed because the Tories are clueless about how to copy them? Does not compute.

Last edited 1 year ago by Llinos
SundanceKid
SundanceKid
1 year ago
Reply to  Llinos

I think the point is, it would be ironic if the “Welsh” Conservatives managed to break away from Tory HQ when Labour chooses to remain loyal to their Westminster overlord, Keir Starmer.

Llinos
Llinos
1 year ago
Reply to  SundanceKid

It would be ironic if something that will definitely never happen in n a million years happened? Okay. Got it. Sort of like it would be ironic if Nigel Farage demanded that Boris reverse the disastrous Brexit? I guess it would. But even as a thought experiment it seems pretty pointless. The “Tories In Wales” breaking from the English Tories would only ever be fake virtue signalling for sake of the easily led. Much like Prince Charles muttering a few words of Welsh at his investiture, or Boris Johnson bashing his trotters together for the NHS. If you cut ARTD… Read more »

The Original Mark
The Original Mark
1 year ago

yeah right, I “considered” having porridge for breakfast this morning, I ended up having 2 slices of toast, as usual.

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
1 year ago

The Tories have contradicted themselves in stating ‘clear blue water’ (a copycat line) by stating ‘maintaining a strong Unionist position’. They are starting to recognise the direction of travel. They are now hoping to see more of their members in an expanded Senedd after voting against its’ expansion. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds. They will also have to swallow hard and accept that the day is coming when they will have to swear allegiance to the people of Wales not the monarchy they worship and commit to a fully independent Welsh Parliament which cannot be run down, wound down and… Read more »

Gareth
Gareth
1 year ago

A R T Davies, a wolf in wolfs clothing.

Llinos
Llinos
1 year ago
Reply to  Gareth

No a sheep in wolf’s clothing? He definitely has a follower mentality. Hers middle management at best. Does whatever Westminster tells him, when they can be bothered to care.

Gareth
Gareth
1 year ago
Reply to  Llinos

Or know who he is 😀

Richard
Richard
1 year ago

I do hope this is the start of the One Nation ( 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿) fight back ( not a phrase either faction likes ) of the ‘Davies tendency’ (not a Netflix Film ) but becsuse most of its leading supporters are indeed Davies !…….though not including I understand David Davies.

The DT as we shall call it – has been working quieting for a few years on operation Blue Water 💧 and I’m sure as many of us think a good Welsh Senedd needs a good constructive and thoughtful opposition.

Pob lwc

Last edited 1 year ago by Richard
The Original Mark
The Original Mark
1 year ago
Reply to  Richard

I played in a cricket team where I was the only one who wasn’t a Davies, just out of interest.

Richard
Richard
1 year ago

Batting for Cymru 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 I’m
sure 👍🏼

Glen
Glen
1 year ago

It’s clever how devious Labour have conned the naïve into believing they are somehow different in Wales to the rest of the UK.

Last edited 1 year ago by Glen
Llinos
Llinos
1 year ago
Reply to  Glen

Well they are in government, so that’s one thing. Not sure it’s clever though. Just a fact

George
George
1 year ago

This is potentially a good thing: Wales deserves a Conservative party rather than just a party saying “we should copy England” or fancying themselves as USA Tea Party.

I can’t see Welsh Conservatives having any more success with HS2 devolution than Welsh Labour – the problem is primarily that UK Conservatives are anti-devolution and see anything outside of England as waste of time. It’s not a Unionism party, but does this “clear blue water” have any change on that thinking at all?

Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards
1 year ago
Reply to  George

A Welsh Tea Party (copying the US one) could be just what’s needed. Consider the policies (1) reduce the influence of the Cardiff black hole (2) emphasis on Free Speech (Wales needs a First Amendment) (2) “States’ rights” = Dominion Status for Wales, a huge step forward. (4) Wales taxes and balanced Budget – or do you want runaway inflation? (5) equality ie an end to identity politics because MLK was right, we are judged by the content of our character. Surely most of us would go this this? No? Why ever not?

Barry Pandy
Barry Pandy
1 year ago

You do realise that the Boston Tea Party had an extreme right-wing small-state agenda? I suspect you probably do. And by ‘free speech’ what they (the Boston Tea Party) really meant was hate speech. Incidentally, high inflation has many causes, the myth that it is caused by budget deficits was cooked up by neo-cons looking for an excuse to shrink the state with lower taxes and lower spending on e.g. health care, education and so forth. The UK already has one of the smallest states in the G20, so how do you explain the high inflation in the UK’s particular… Read more »

Mick Tems
Mick Tems
1 year ago

Welsh Conservatives? Surely an oxymoron?

Arwyn
Arwyn
1 year ago

Seems incoherent to me. Clear blue water? Leftwards? Rightwards? Seperate? Affiliated? Federated?

Or is it just RTD2 spinning his head making a noise again?

Syr Wynff ap Concor Y Boss
Syr Wynff ap Concor Y Boss
1 year ago

Nah they should just disband, Cymru and Y Cymry doesn’t want them seemingly.

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
1 year ago

Let’s hope they use the Welsh language on their website etc

David
David
1 year ago

Glyn Davies: (from his Facebook page) – Prominent story in today’ Telegraph headlined “Welsh Tories consider split from main English Party”. I was disturbed by this story because it simply isn’t true. I was present at the 2 hr Shadow Cabinet in the Senedd last Monday where this was supposed to have been discussed – so I know it’s a total lie. Because the meeting of the Shadow Cabinet in the Senedd is a private meeting, and I was a guest of the Senedd Group Leader, I cannot go into any detail. But I feel I can say that today’s… Read more »

Llefain
Llefain
1 year ago

A bit of on paper performative nonsense at best if it ever happened. They’d still gladly take their marching orders from their bosses. They know everybody knows this. But it does interestingly force the question of/to Labour in Wales. A fun play by the useless sods. Good for a giggle at least. Both “parties” would still take orders from “above”. But the actually maybe Welsh Labour image could peel off some Plaid support that might actually fall for the meaningless rebrand. While Cons might gain some right-wing indy support that wants to play at being be equally easily duped. All… Read more »

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
1 year ago

It will be confusing for many members of the Conservative Party because it will imply Wales is a different country to England, they won’t like that

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