‘Devolution does not just mean transfer of power’

DEVOLUTION does not mean “simply transferring power from Westminster to Cardiff”, MPs have been told.

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart said that it instead means getting decision-making made at the “closest possible levels to where it actually matters”.

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson came under fire over reports he told MPs that devolution had been “a disaster” in Scotland and that it had been “Tony Blair’s biggest mistake”.

Responding to Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz SavilleRoberts during Wales questions, Mr Hart told the Commons yesterday: “Of course, I thoroughly support devolution. But devolution does not mean simply transferring power from Westminster to Cardiff.

“What it actually means is getting the decision-making made at the closest possible levels to where it actually matters, which is across Wales.

“This is why, as far as the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) is concerned, I have had conversations with local authorities, I’ve had conversations with the WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) and others including Welsh Government because, in fact, it is they who should be playing a much more active part than they have so far in the decision-making and prioritisation over SPF funding.”

Also speaking in the Commons, Welsh minister David Davies said that he is a “changed man” on the issue of devolution, having opposed it in the Welsh devolution referendum of 1997.

“I respect devolution, I will support devolution. I welcome the suggestion of closer co-operation between the UK and Welsh governments over important issues such as agriculture,” he said.