Cheryl Gillan MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, answers the questions that you asked here.
Tony Makara: Is there a danger that a vote on devolution in Scotland
could trigger a break-away trend in Wales too and if so how could that
be countered?
Tony I think you mean if there was a vote on independence not devolution, as there is already a Parliament in Scotland.
I do not believe there is any real appetite for independence in Scotland or indeed in Wales. When you really think it through, it does not make any sense to break up the world's fifth largest economy and we could sacrifice our position at the top in international arena such as the UN and even Europe.
Wales, although a proud Nation, is also inextricably
linked to England in so many ways and I have never been asked to press
for independence by anyone I have met over the past 2 years. I think
Wales and for that matter Scotland is stronger and better placed as
part of the United Kingdom. When we are facing challenges in the future
from emerging economies like China and India we need a united front.
Tax cutter: What do you think can be done to overcome an often illogical anti-Tory bias in Wales?
The Labour party and for that matter the other parties have always sought to paint the Conservatives as anti-Wales, as if supporting the Union is somehow anti the constituent countries of the Union. That for me is an enormous lie.
What concerns me is that Wales is still the poorest part of the UK and I would hope that so many of our developing policies would help lift many families in Wales and build on the strength and determination which is, to me, such an obvious national characteristic. I would hope that our policies on tackling social breakdown and on helping people achieve their aspirations would appeal to voters. I and the tremendous and growing Welsh team of politicians and candidates for the next council elections and the Westminster elections (whenever the PM finds the courage to call it) will be doing our best to show that our plans are quite simply the best for the people and families in Wales.
Henry Mayhew: Could you tell us why Cardiff is such a dynamic city?
When I was growing up in Cardiff I always recall it as being a great City. I think it always has been…. the museum for me was a tremendous highlight and recently I saw one of the best collections – if not the best - in the world - of impressionist paintings. The castle was magic – literally – with its amazing interiors and those wonderful small animals over the walls around the outside. The civic buildings screamed stability and security and Jacob Epstein's Christ in Majesty is still a brilliant piece to view in the setting of Llandaff cathedral.
On the business front of course it was a port town and the commercial centre for Wales. There is an entrepreneurial spirit amongst its businesses and it is only 2 hours from London. Many well known companies have operations in and around Cardiff and it has a first class university. Now it has the Assembly and the Millennium Centre, test match cricket status for Sophia Gardens, great music, art and sport. It feels like a young modern vibrant society with its avante garde new docks area and great restaurants... need I go on!?
Anthony Broderick: Do you agree with Nick Bourne's position on the assembly getting more powers?
This is an enormously complex issue. The devolution settlement designed by Labour was more about trying to keep Labour politicians happy than what was best for Wales – its imperfections are apparent from Labour's need to revisit it so soon in the recent revision of the legislation at Westminster. I would want to examine every proposal case by case – as indeed I believe so would Nick – to see if it makes sense for transition to occur or whether it is better for Wales for the matter to remain at UK Government level.
Elspeth Parry-Hughes: What steps can we take to support traditional farming methods in Wales?
This can be achieved by having a government in the Assembly and at Westminster who understand the countryside and by ensuring that the quality of our produce is marketed both locally and further afield – such as our famous Black Beef, our delicious cheeses and yoghurts and many other items of Welsh produce.
Candie Station: How can we encourage more young people to stay in the Welsh countryside when they finish school? I'm worried that when when I finish school I and all my friends will have to move to a big city to get a job.
This is really linked with the last question and there are many aspects that need to be considered. Affordable housing is a key issue and that is why the Conservative policy of scrapping stamp duty tax for many first time buyers would help huge amounts of people. But we also need to ensure that the way of life in the countryside is not eroded and that we develop suitable and value added ways of marketing our produce.
Dave J Smith: How can we promote Wales more effectively abroad?
Whether it is appealing to tourists or attracting industry to set up in Wales we have great opportunities for the foreign visitor or enterprise. I would like to ensure that every British Embassy holds the relevant information on all opportunities in Wales from educational courses to recreational activities from business profiles to research establishments.
Wales is so stunningly beautiful it should be a natural tourist destination. From our coastline to our mountains and valleys this should be "green" gold in terms of attracting visitors to our national parks and historic sites. Our ambassadors are not just our history but also many of our living stars who are known around the world and are a great advert for our country.
By showing that we have the educational institutions and the potentially excellent workforces we should be able to continue to attract more businesses from abroad who wish to set up in the UK.
Blazatrayle: Do you think there should be a tidal barrage built across the Severn?
For me the jury is still out. We need to increase the amount of energy we obtain from renewable sources and on face value this scheme would go a great deal of the way towards our green targets. However, I want to see the impact assessments on the project carried out fully - looking at the environmental impact, the cost in both financial terms and in terms of the carbon footprint of the construction. I also want to see the results of the studies on tidal lagoons and other options before we are in a position to make a decision. Peter Hain seems to have already made up his mind that this is the project to go ahead but I would want to learn more and fully consult before a decision is taken.
Will James: If there were a referendum to make the Welsh Assembly a Parliament, with similar powers to the Scottish Parliament, would you campaign for or against it?
That would depend when the referendum took place and the extent of the powers proposed.
Ian Reid: Inhabitants in North Wales are incensed at proposals that patients will have to travel to Cardiff or swansea instead of Liverpool for elective neoro-surgery (and scared same will happen for heart and children care (Broad Green and Alder Hey). What are Cheryl's views?
I am appalled that any sane politician could believe that this is a sensible proposal. This is not about what is best for the patients, it is about political dogma. Patients should be treated at the nearest available centre of excellence and expertise, not bussed to South Wales. David Jones MP has been doing a fantastic job on trying to make the Labour Plaid Assembly government see sense over this one !!
