The relation between Andrew RT Davies leader of the Tories in the Assembly and David Jones was almost toxic and there was a clear dispute just who was in charge of that Party in Wales.
It came to a head when the Welsh Conservatives under Andrew RT Davies wanted to reduce the rate of income tax to high earners. using the new Tax powers which may have come from to Wales
It was a typical Tory policy reduce the Tax of the rich and the benefits will trickle down to the rest of us
Despite this it wast was scuppered, stopped dead in its tracks, by none other than the Secretary of State.
David Jones supported the so called lock o and the idea that devolved income tax powers t devolved income tax powers would only mean that the Assembly could lower, or increase, income tax as a whole, not play around with various bands. Knowing full well, as has happened in Scotland where this lock down policy has been in place since devolution that it was highly unlikely that any government in the Bay would do either.
Indeed so serious was the dispute it tsplit the Tories in the Bay Andrew RT Davies lost five from his front-bench team for agreeing with David Jones and voting accordingly.
It has been announced that the 5 will be reinstated after David Jones's sacking clearly show in Andrew RT Davies blamed the former for the split.
But will the new Secretary be any different?
Declaring himself an outright “devo-sceptic”, in 2007 Crabb wrote for the grassroots Conservative website, ConservativeHome.com:
He was even sceptical about the existence of the Office ha had just entered“Over the last ten years my opposition to devolution in Scotland and Wales has been driven by a belief that, far from satisfying the nationalist tendencies in these countries, devolution would foster and feed an increasingly separatist and socialist discourse in which sensible Conservative policies that could promote national cohesion, economic liberalism and smaller government would find little oxygen for survival.“Although other colleagues in the party have reversed their previous opposition to devolution, I maintain that the devolution experience so far has proved rather than disproved my original concerns. By giving institutional expression to the forces of separatism, devolution has given these a new lease of life.”
“Reform of the relevant Whitehall machinery is also necessary."The roles of Secretary of State for Scotland, Wales and (to a lesser extent) Northern Ireland have become emptied and somewhat meaningless under devolution. Peter Hain did two of the jobs for almost three years.
"Throw in Scotland as well and we can have one streamlined Department of Celtic Affairs. A reduction in the number of MPs in Wales and Scotland would go hand-in-hand with this.”
So one can only speculate that David Cameron in sacking David Jones wanted to defuse the toxic time time bomb in the bay which looked like a personalty clash between Jones and Davies.
It seems unlikely however the power struggle between the Secretary of State and Leader in the bay will go away a situation which also exists within Labour's hierarchy in Wales.
So maybe Crabb had a point in abolishing the post. Though a "Department of Celtic Affairs". has the ring of colonialism where a Minister led a department that oversaw the running of the of the poor natives who they believed could not govern themselves probably.
But with Scotland, likely to get more powers if they can be convinced to reject Independence the Position of Scottish Secretary, will look as an anachronism.
So maybe Stephen Crabb will make History. If only as the last person to hold the post he himself sees as "emptied and somewhat meaningless".
But with Scotland, likely to get more powers if they can be convinced to reject Independence the Position of Scottish Secretary, will look as an anachronism.
So maybe Stephen Crabb will make History. If only as the last person to hold the post he himself sees as "emptied and somewhat meaningless".
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