To some, Tory AM Darren Millar is assuredly a right-winger – mainly because of his links to Christian groups. You know, a sort of Welsh version of an an American Christian republican.
Leaving that point entirely aside, what about the views of the North member on devolution ?
His linking with Preseli AM Paul Davies in the row over a replacement chairman to South East AM William Graham for the Tory Assembly group, however, put a different light on such thoughts.
Mr Davies is definitely One Nation – a Tory grouping which still encompasses some members of the party despite the demise of Edward Heath.
Indeed, Mr Millar has been described by a trusted informant as a “federalist ” – something akin to David Melding, the South Central AM and party policy director, as well as bete noire to right-wingers.
Asked about his “federalism”, Mr Millar yesterday demurred. But he agreed that he “did not like” the devolved assemblies within the UK all working to different rules – Scotland has the greatest powers, followed by Stormont, with Wales some way behind, followed by London (which isn’t a country, in any case).
Really, Mr Millar’s stance probably cannot be differentiated from federalism – but that is one of the words that a rising Tory can never associate himself with.
The Northern member points out, additionally, that devolution should not halt at Cardiff Bay. He claims – and there is evidence to back up his argument – that Cardiff is indeed more centralist than London.
Mr Millar points to the “guidance” that is sent by the respective governments to local authorities. Cardiff is significantly more prescriptive and demanding than is Whitehall, he says. Planning, he points to, as a clear argument.
It is all a reflection of the Labour pressure to force conformity, and to ensure there is only one centre of leadership, and that from floor five in Ty Hywel.
One obvious example is the way the Wales Tourist Board has been totally subsumed within the Assembly’s civil service. And the other is the way health minister Edwina Hart is gathering every iota of power to herself.
As Tory health spokesman Jonathan Morgan remarked at the Tories’ North policy forum conference in Llandudno, Mrs Hart had embarked on a “very dangerous exercise”.
She had “gone from one extreme to the other – from 22 Local Health Boards to one state-controlled governing body, bordering on old-Soviet style command and control”.
