Monmouth MP David Davies, and Welsh Conservative MPs, have broken rank in an attempt to force Chancellor George Osborne to reconsider a “disrespectful” proposal to devolve tax powers to Wales.

The five MPs have urged Mr Osborne to rethink his plan to hand tax-raising powers to the Welsh Assembly without a referendum, in a letter last week.

A letter addressed to the Chancellor highlighted the concerns of the quintet - David Davies, Byron Davies, Chris Davies, James Davies and David Jones - urging him to reverse the decision made last November.

Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said the move would mean “better government for Wales”, with plans to devolve powers over 10p of income tax being underway.

Privately, some Welsh Conservative MPs have expressed scepticism, with distrust over the Chancellor’s motives in devolving such a significant power without referendum to a Labour administration.

Monmouth’s David Davies, a regular critic of the Welsh Assembly, was concerned over a move which he said could be a “disaster”, outlining previous Tory attacks on the Welsh Government’s devolution record on health, and education.

“I am personally opposed to the idea of giving the Welsh Assembly powers over income tax without a referendum.

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