Coronavirus: Tory MP criticised for saying Welsh Parliament should be abolished for undermining PM
The Welsh Tories' vice-chair confirms the comments "are not consistent with our party policy at either a Welsh or UK level".
Monday 11 May 2020 22:43, UK
A Tory MP has come under fire for demanding the Welsh Parliament be abolished for "undermining" Boris Johnson's coronavirus response.
Daniel Kawczynski said it was an "unnecessary" body that was "picking apart our UK" and devolution needs a "rethink".
The administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have all stuck to the existing COVID-19 response, urging people to "stay at home" and refusing to ease lockdown measures as more than 32,000 people have died.
But Mr Johnson has tweaked the guidance in England and told those who cannot work from home - such as builders or manufacturers - they should go to work if it is safe to do so.
All leaders have said they want a four nations-led approach to avoid confusion and different laws coming into force within the UK, but Mr Johnson has pressed ahead with laying the groundwork for some children to go back to school and shops to re-open from June.
After the announcement, Mr Kawczynski said he was "worried" about the Welsh Parliament's effect on the "cohesion of Britain".
"Their undermining of PM at a time of crisis will I hope start a debate in Wales longer term as to whether or not to continue with this expensive and unnecessary body," he tweeted.
"The pandemic has really exposed how far devolution has gone towards picking apart our UK - it's time for a rethink."
The Welsh Parliament was initially created after the 1997 referendum that saw 50.3% of residents back the idea.
In another referendum held 14 years later, residents voted by 63.5% to give the body law-making powers on some areas including education, health and welfare.
Mr Kawczynski's suggestion of abolishing it was slapped down by Welsh Conservatives leader Paul Davies, who confirmed: "This is not our party's policy."
Vice-chair of the party Darren Miller added the comments "are not consistent with our party policy at either a Welsh or UK level".
Former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said the Shrewsbury MP's outburst was because "because the Welsh government has stopped him going to his nearest beach".