Is Silk A Tory Trojan Horse?

The Wasting Mule  has given us some insight of what the Tories mean by their claim that that have come to "accept" devolution

It seems that they feel that the idea of some form of tax raising powers will lead to them gaining power in the Assembly and probably then preventing more powers being devolved.

Andrew RT Davies. The opposition leader said he was “confident” that the Assembly will gain new powers, despite the delay in the UK Government’s official response to the Silk Commission which called for a new wave of devolution.

Mr Davies said it was “imperative” for the Westminster coalition to “deliver” on Silk and predicted that the impact would be “transformational”.

Looking ahead to a time when Conservatives can fight Assembly elections as a party of low taxation, he said:

 “My whole political philosophy, and that of my party, is that the best people to spend their money are the people themselves rather than the government spending it for them.  That really, as I said, would be transformational if that entered the Welsh political debate.”

As the Mule says 

 "The UK Government’s response to the Silk Commission, which recommended the devolution of borrowing powers and, subject to a referendum, the ability to vary income tax, had been expected in the spring.A consultation has subsequently taken place on the impact of devolving stamp duty, which examined cross-border issues"

 Mr Davies said..

 “I think it is imperative for the Government in Westminster to deliver on Silk. I fully accept there is work to be done.“I don’t get quite as excited about some of my political colleagues about the delay because, obviously, the Welsh situation is quite different to Scotland.”

So it may be that the Tories see Fiscal powers as a Trojan horse in which they can argue that Westminster when they cut any monies they give the Welsh Assembly Government  and are attacked by the latter say..

If you want any more  raise it yourself.

Then the Tories  in will  fight against any increases and fight Assembly elections as a party of low taxation, as RT Davies  says:

 “My whole political philosophy, and that of my party, is that the best people to spend their money are the people themselves rather than the government spending it for them.  That really, as I said, would be transformational if that entered the Welsh political debate.”

So perhaps we should be cautious about having these powers, when the Assembly still hasn't anything like the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

But i believe that we should not shirk from this . We are after all arguing for a cutting of the "Apron Strings" from Westminster and we must take the argument to the people arguing that we can run ourselves responsibly and that when it comes to taxation it will be affordable but also fair.

We can't go on blaming Westminster Governments for the lack of investment in Wales we must show that an independent Wales will use Taxation to benefit all the people of Wales. It will be hard when faced will Tories likes of  R.T. Davies who will offer reduced taxes and carry on with  the same smear on those dependent on welfare that the Con/Lib Dem and the previous Labour Government  have successfully managed to do at Westminster.

As I said the Tories may well  see this as a Trojan horse  but it is one we must risk for our Welsh Government whatever its colour  to run Wales for the benefit of the people of Wales  to grow.