Tory rebels against the party’s rapidly-developing devolution policy had better watch out.
One of the longest-standing sceptics has told them that there’s a limit to disagreement. David Jones, MP for Clwyd West and former northern regional AM, then rubbed in his message by making clear that arch-devolutionist and Assembly group leader Nick Bourne is the best man for the job right through to the 2011 election.
He made his otherwise-unreported remarks at the Tories’ southern policy forum conference in Cardiff.
Some of his comments were, in my opinion, a big loony. Giving a set speech, he started off largely on the issue of the new Planning Act. Apparently, some of its key issues will not be introduced by the Assembly.
These cover items such as replacing public planning inquiries – which, on very controversial issues, can drag on for exceedingly long periods – with a simply and qucker method. Mr Jones gave the example of the proposed fifth runway for Heathrow – which would, indeed, drag on for ever.
What about similar projects in Wales, he asked. Like improvevements to the A470 North-South trunk road.
If Mr Jones, a respected solicitor, had thought a bit, he might not have tried to make that point. Comparing the A470 to the fifth runway hardly makes sense. The only equivalent is Pembrokeshire County Council’s use of an unusual procedure to demand a rethink and fbuilding of four lanes for an improvement of the A40 past Robeston Wathen. That has been quickly dealt with by the calling of a short series of Assembly committee meetings in Cardiff.
For more important were the comments which followed from this dedicated party loyalist. Dealing with the next Westminster election, he said, “We will not achieve victory unless we are 100 per cent united.”
He then came on to the party group. Again he laid down the law. Without giving any details, Mr Jones said of Mr Bourne, “He has not always had an easy ride.” Could that refer to criticisms by the Right of his pro-devolution policy. Or of his distancing himself from the 39-page Rhodri Morgan - Leadership Without Purpose, with its couple of sentences which Mr Bourne believed had gone too far.
Whatever, Mr Jones went straight on: “NIck Bourne is the right man to lead the Assembly campaign in 2011. He has the total support of all his colleagues in the House. We must show that we are united, particularly here in Wales,”
