‘Welsh devolution has become a project of nation-building’, Tory MP complains
A Tory MP has complained about Welsh devolution becoming a “project of nation-building”.
James Davies, who represents the Vale of Clwyd, is unhappy about the way in which the parliament in Wales has been given more control of Welsh laws.
In an essay for Strength in Union, in which he makes the case for preventing the breakup of the UK, he hit out at the “ever-increasing transfer of national powers” to the “power base” of the Senedd that is “competing” with Westminster.
The practicing GP, who was educated at King’s School, Chester, suggested that the “consequence is an increasing divide between Wales and England”, which is leading to the UK Government “becoming less relevant”.
In his essay he said: “Real devolution should be about harnessing the benefits of truly local decision making. While it was not intended as such by Tony Blair, Welsh devolution has become a project of nation-building, whereby an ever-increasing transfer of national powers to a competing and centralising power base in Cardiff is sought.
“The consequence is an increasing divide between Wales and England, with the UK Government, British institutions and ultimately British identity all becoming less relevant.”
‘Reality’
He added: “Whitehall has not always been cognisant of this reality when faced with apparently anodyne requests to gift another tranche of competencies. An ever-inward-looking mentality within devolved politics also results in Wales exerting increasingly less influence on British and foreign affairs.
“Evidence from polling suggests that a significant proportion of the electorate have been oblivious to the extent of ongoing constitutional change.”
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The Conservative political agenda to deprive Wales of any choice in the way regional policies are conducted and to centralize all choice to an unrepresentative body in Whitehall is being promoted by Tory MP’s such as James Davies. It is a blatant attempt to overthrow the democratic choice of the people of Wales for whom it is apparent he gives not two hoots.
So they “gift” us certain rights from Whitehall. This master – servant attitude towards us is starting to make me angry and is not going to end well. I am beginning to feel a real animosity towards these people right now.
That has always been the reality of devolution, it is in effect not a gift, but a privilege that can be taken away on any pretext that the UK government decides is appropriate. We are in grave danger of losing what little autonomy we have, and I won’t be alone in having noticed a recent upsurge in attacks on Welsh devolution by Tory politicians. For me, devolution was always just a step on the road to independence; an important step to show to the many sceptical Welsh that we are capable of running our own affairs. In the past it… Read more »
Great reply. You have far more patience than I, and I am told I can be rather volatile in my reactions. Reasoned arguments against these types only seem to go so far, as we have the might of the English press lined up against us. The only way I see forward, is if we can find a true orator who can inspire the nation to stand up to this oppression, because that is what these essays are, oppressive propaganda. We need inspiration now, before things turn ugly. Is there a person out there, who can do this for us.
So they want to steal our democratically votes for powers to control us easier from abroad.
Another backside kissing swot handing in his paltry project homework to BJ’s Junta in the hope of preferment, and the chance of hitching a ride on the back of a unicorn to the sunny uplands of a newer, shinier, Global Britain™
Strength in Union ? Too little too late – mae’r llong ‘na wedi hwylio!
the monolithic institute that is whitehall is quick enough to take the Welsh government to court when it thinks we’re over stepping our powers. Perhaps if these tories actually got on with doing their job, instead of wasting time writing these fantasy “what I did in the summer holidays” stories, things might improve, OR, is this just another distraction?
Yesterday I wrote that I, despite totally dissagreeing with his politics, I wished, as a Welshman, that RTD would have a fast recovery. This guy takes subservient a##e licking to such a low level that I would find it extrememly difficult to wish him the same under those circumstances … why is it that some so called Welsh people seem to have such a low opinion of their country and its people that they think we must be controlled from outside?
These self serving lickspttle , just want to be accepted as equals to the masters in London. It reminds me of a time, when I was 16 and just started work, a worker had just been promoted, and one of the men said, he will be a bad boss, as the worst bosses are the one that used to work on the shop floor. It would seem that the worst type of Tory is the one who is from our country, where he seems he has to justify himself by putting us down to his London masters.
A llyfed y taeog y llawr : And the servile lick the floor.
It sounds so much better in Welsh.
“…devolved politics also results in Wales exerting increasingly less influence on British and foreign affairs.”
Yeah right, because we have so much influence whilst we under Westminster’s heel don’t we?
He is right to say that Blair did not want it. We now know that Blair wanted a glorified county council and did his best to prevent the leader from being bestowed with the title First Minister. Furthermore, he treated the Welsh Assembly with more contempt than a county council because he tried to impose Allan Michael as the leader rather than the choice of the AMs which was Rhodri Morgan at the time.
*Cultural Genocide*
Cultural genocide – Wikipedia
“a project of nation-building”
Too right! Long may it continue!
Sorry James Davies. Welsh devolution is not simply a project of “nation building” , but one of nation rebuilding after years of Unionist cultural, political and economic wrecking ball diplomacy by morons like you.
#YesCymru 🏴. #Ymlaen 🏴 #Unionism 🇬🇧👎
Devolution was,and still is, a change to remain the same. It doesn’t challenge the status quo one bit.
I campaigned for devolution fully aware that the deal on offer was no more than that which had been offered in 1979, namely a super county council, a talking shop to give a semblance of democracy to the running of the Welsh Office.
Devolution for me was always just a step in the direction of independence.
We now need to move towards taking that step.
Yes, I agree . At present devolution is merely democracy on a Whitehall leash
Only with independence can we decide our own future and reach our full potential as a country. The status quo, as said is not an option. Devolution should be a stepping stone not a ball & chain.
Well, we ARE a nation, despite you and your ilk, poodle!
James bach – what nation building? We have a country and its caleld Cymru – get used to it pal!
Completely and hoplessley wrong but once again providing clarity on his British Nationalist credentials. Wales is an historic Nation. We are in no need of “nation building.” Devolution is not even a case of “state building.” It is only the limited licensing of power to be exercised on behalf of the state. But James Davies might have unwittingly given us a prompt here. My goodness does Wales need to begin the process of building a state. Not least because in not one national election in the history of the democratic franchise have we the Welsh electorate handed a mandate to… Read more »
Yes it has, so what’s the problem??
Nation building has a nice ring to it…as for the rest of his ‘essay’ it is a typical hostage piece, written under duress, in some North Korean hell hole. Unfortunately we know that this is not the case and this ‘look at me Boris’ drivel should be enough for the people of Clwyd to vote this spineless sycophant out of office at the next election. Same goes for the rest of the anti-welsh welsh Tory MPs.
“Welsh devolution has become a project of nation-building”. Well, not really; the nation’s already there, it simply requires the necessary powers to decrease the democratic deficit that enables political decisions about Wales to be made elsewhere by a party that has never been voted into power by the Welsh electorate. Sadly for James Davies, this will self-evidently mean a reduction in the influence of Westminster over Wales. Otherwise, what’s the point of devolution? If this leitmotif of “British versus Welsh” (and the implications for contrasting notions of political power that it entails) is a reflection of the likely direction of… Read more »
Kick all English party’s out of wales that’s the Tories Labour and all Brexit party’s stop being little Englanders and and be proud to be welsh start fighting for your children and grandchildren future in wales 🏴
Kick all nationalists out of Wales. 80% want the Union. Give their houses to refugees.
Wales for the Unionist majority!
🇬🇧!
Undeb am Byth!
Enjoyable read 😂 your Masters degree no doubt ?
Hey Richard
You’ll probably find that it’s a copy-and-paste Wikipedia Regurgita Masters degree from an online ‘university’ based in somewhere like the British Indian Ocean Territory.
Mr Dearest Hedda I would sincerely like to thank you for this and all of the other comments in favour of so-called ‘unionism’ (or English nationalism as I like to think of it). The very fact that you are taking the time and going to the trouble to post rabidly anti-Welsh, anti-devolution and anti-independence comments on what is very clearly a pro-Welsh independence website goes to show just how worried you are by the prospect of Welsh independence (and every other English nationalist nut job who posts comments on nation.cymru for that matter). Ten years ago, or even five years… Read more »
Do Scottish Tories hate Scotland as much as Welsh Tories hate Wales? Does the Tory Mayor of Birmingham write how he shouldn’t be allowed to make decisions and instead Westminster should decide for him?
It’s not my political persuasion but I’d love Wales to have a Conservative political party rather than a “we wish we were English” party.
The entitlement from English politicians to another country is shocking, they honestly believe they own us
He’s Welsh. Born in Wales with many generations of Welsh ancestors. Makes his comment seem worse really! I suppose he was educated in a private school over the border so had his Welshness ‘cleaned’ out
Dr Davies qualified in 2003 but was already a county councillor in 2004, suggesting he already had other plans. Confirmed by his being an MP in 2015. Seems an awful waste of a medical education, especially at the very time there is a shortage of doctors. His place could have gone to another student who might have spent more of their working life in the NHS.
Nation building comes from the bottom / community upwards James. – not the top down. From the days of Cymru Fydd, WRU , Welsh FA, the establishment of our national university, national museum, National Eisteddfod through to the Church Dis Establishment movement and the establishment of the Royal Welsh Show, Wales Arts Council and the W Tourism Board Education through the WJEC .. policy via the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire along to the growth of the Welsh Office etc etc – – this has been a journey of 150 years…and continues reflecting a nations developing confidence…into the modern world… Read more »
Ni fydd wedi dysgu dim am Gymru, yn enwedig nid ein hanes, yn ei ysgol breifat yng Nghaer.
Look at this man’s record on voting in Westminster. He has consistently voted against rises in welfare benefits for the sick and disabled people. This man should be disbarred as a GP. He is a disgrace.
He is just the type to have done the dirty work for Atos…
That is why I support devolution, leading to independence. Cymru am byth