Not all Tories are 'Bourne again' devolutionists - German

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Jul 2005

Mike German today welcomed the new pro-devolution emphasis of Tory leader Nick Bourne but questioned whether the leader's enthusiasm was shared by rank and file Conservatives.

The leader of the Welsh Tories, Nick Bourne and health spokesman Jonathan Morgan, told those opposed to the Assembly to "stop fighting old battles" and "make the assembly work".

However, last Thursday, the Conservative AM and MP for Monmouth, David Davies, called for the Assembly to lose its powers over the health service and criticised the Assembly's "dreadful lack of competence".

Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:

"Nick Bourne's evangelism for devolution must be welcomed. The recent achievement on top-up fees shows the good that the Assembly can achieve when parties work together in the interests of Wales. The Assembly is here to benefit the people of Wales; if all parties recognize this then we can do so much more.

"The contrasting views of David Davies and Nick Bourne highlight the fault-line that runs through the Conservatives. The leader may want to the party to become more 'Welsh' but David Davies, and even shadow secretary of state Bill Wiggin, clearly represent the view of many Conservative members in opposing devolution.

"The Tories can't face two ways at once. Nick Bourne may be keen to help move the devolution train along but the Conservative carriage can only be derailed while his own colleagues continue to fight these old battles."

This latest statement puts a big question mark over the party's stated policy of holding a 'preferendum' on the future of the Assembly.