PLANS to launch a cross-party campaign for a 'No' vote in a future referendum on full law-making powers for the Welsh Assembly have been launched by Monmouth MP David Davies.

Mr Davies, who was an AM for eight years, is a staunch opponent of extra powers for the Assembly and fears a 'Yes' vote would see Wales 'dragged down to Soviet-style poverty'. "If people in the 'Yes' camp succeed in getting full law-making powers for the Assembly, then full independence would only be a step away," he said.

"As far as I am concerned, the Assembly has done nothing to justify giving it more powers.

"The NHS in Wales is in a deplorable state. We have longer hospital waiting lists than England and there is a post-code lottery which means some people can't access life-saving cancer drugs such as Tarceva.

"It is a well known fact that council tax bills have gone through the roof since the Assembly was established and it is the people of Monmouthshire who have been hit the hardest.

"It is also worth remembering that the Assembly depends on subsidies from the UK government, which would end if Wales became an independent state.

"Furthermore, I am not confident that legislation would be scrutinised in Cardiff Bay as properly as it would be in Parliament.

"The Labour and Plaid Cymru administration have committed the Assembly Government to hold a referendum before 2011 and to campaign for a 'Yes' vote.

"I think it is important there is a full debate about the implications of what is planned.

"My concern is that if the opposing points are not made, we could be sleepwalking towards independence.

"I will be writing to the Electoral Commission to seek procedural advice and will be aiming to set up a cross-party group.

"My idea is to have an organisation with myself as a Conservative member jointly running it with a Liberal Democrat and a Labour Party member."

The name of the 'No' campaign is up for discussion, although Mr Davies says he personally favours 'Wales For the Union'.