COVERITLIVE.COM

1:00	David Melding - Thanks everyone for a range of very interesting questions. I hope that my answers were informative, they were at least honest.

1:00	Sion Barry Media Wales - That's all folks! Thanks for your great questions and to David too for his honest and incisive responses. Read tomorrow's Western Mail for coverage of some of your questions and David's answers. Thanks again

1:00	David Melding - SKO - An interesting point, would any of us want to go back to the political climate of the 1930s?

12:59

[Comment From SKO]
Why are so many people apathetic about politics? Are we too comfortable?

12:58

[Comment From Jonathan LD]
Thank you for this web chat and for answering all the questions.

12:58

[Comment From Adam Smith]
How can you call yourself a ‘devolutionist’ when you support Britain’s membership of the EU? Surely, if you believe in devolving power to the lowest level, then ex hypothesi you oppose the outsourcing of national sovereignty to a supranational state?

12:56

David Melding - I believe less is often more and therefore politicians should strive to intervene skilfully but not compulsively.

12:55

[Comment From Jonathan LD]
Should there be more or less government intervention in the world of Welsh business?

12:54

David Melding - I am an enthusiastic supporter of the European ideal. However, the EU suffers from a democratic deficit and we certainly should have had a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. It is hardly encouraging that the Irish have been forced to hold a second referndum to come to a decision that pleases the more enthusiastic Eurocrats.

12:52

[Comment From Fingermouse]
Will the Conservatives mess it all up, as usual, by getting obsessed with Europe? Most people don't give a fig about the Lisbon Treaty, but listen to some of your lot and you'd think it was all people worried about.

12:52

David Melding - I do not think he will ever hide away from the big challenges that face us. He is decisive and will act on the evidence before him. I believe that his background will make for an exciting period of innovative government.

12:50

[Comment From Ashley J]
What are David Cameron's best attributes in terms of him being our next PM?

12:49

David Melding - In terms of economic development, we need to see our small firms grow and if I could do one thing I would lower business rates as far as possible - even to zero in many cases.

12:49

[Comment From Ashley J]
What one big thing would you want to do to help the people of Wales if you were in government?

12:48

David Melding - Just to add - I do think your philosophical outlook has some impact on politics, but I'm pleased that in Britain we generally leave the fundamental questions a matter of conscience.

12:47

David Melding - I used to be a practicing Catholic, but I've moved to agnosticism in recent years.

12:47

[Comment From David Price]
Do you have religious beliefs? Do they affect your politics?

12:46

David Melding - I'm not going. I'm not much of a conference person but I do enjoy the Welsh conference which is held in the spring. Incidentally, the Assembly is sitting as well.

12:45

[Comment From Alice Mary Jones]
Are you going to the Conservative Party conference? Why?

12:44

David Melding - Garrygum - I think it's for others to judge but the Conservative Party is at its most successful when it's a broad church.