A former Montgomeryshire MP has commented on a debate raised by the leader of the Welsh Conservative Group on the abolition of the Welsh Parliament.

Glyn Davies, who served as the Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire from 2010 to 2019, has said he is “disappointed” by a public debate on devolution led by the leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies.

The debate was sparked by Andrew RT Davies arranging a poll at the Vale of Glamorgan Show on August 7, also making a social media post on the issue.

The initiative was criticised by former leader of the Assembly Conservative Group, Lord Nick Bourne.

And posting on Facebook, Mr Davies said: "Disappointed to see reports of public disagreement between two leading Conservatives in Wales today about the very existence of devolution. Thought we had settled this issue in 1997.

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“I consider both leader of the Senedd Conservative Group, Andrew RT Davies and former leader of the Assembly Conservative Group, Lord Nick Bourne to be good friends of mine.

“There is no meaningful debate on this issue. The position is clear. It was legitimate to consider the principle of devolution prior to Sept 1997.

“It was a subject of public debate. I myself opposed to creating a devolved ‘Parliament’ in Wales. We had a national vote on the issue. I recall being at the Powys count on referendum night - the only ‘No’ representative present when the final deciding vote from Carmarthenshire came through.

“My side lost. It was mighty close but I’m a democrat and accepted the result. As I was driving home I resolved to seek a role in the way Welsh devolution played out. I was voted in as an Assembly Member representing Mid and West Wales. For me, that’s how democracy works. The result must be respected.

“We had another national debate, arranged by Peter Hain, a few years later when he was Welsh Secretary which backed increased powers for the Assembly, now renamed the Senedd, granting law-making powers. I fully accepted that result as well.

“I accept that there remain many who have never accepted the result and would like the Senedd to be abolished. Since 1997, this has not included the Welsh Conservative Party.

“I cannot fathom what can possibly be gained by reopening a long settled debate. Raising this issue in public is a disappointment.”