THE war of words over devolution was due to recommence today as MPs examine proposals to beef up the Welsh Assembly. Despite signs the Tories would take a more pro-devolution stance under David Cameron the party is opposed to the Government of Wales Bill which gets its second reading today. Conservatives want a referendum before Cardiff Bay is given the greater role to draft Welsh legislation laid out in the bill. Shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan said Labour was trying to "significantly increase the Assembly's power through the back door". She said: "This must only be achieved by first gaining the support of the people of Wales through a referendum on the significant increase in powers for the Assembly proposed in this legislation." The bill would allow parliament to confer certain law-making powers on AMs when they request it. Full Scottish-style powers would follow a referendum. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain is adamant such a referendum would produce a "no" vote if held now.. He said Mr Cameron had "failed his first big test on devolution". "By seeking to block even a modest increase in the Assembly's powers the Tories have proved that they are as implacably anti-devolution and anti-Wales as ever," he said.. "Far from trying to make devolution work the Tories are again attempting to wreck it." The bill's most controversial proposal stops Assembly candidates standing twice at the same election. Labour said voters were confused by AMs elected on their party's regional list despite losing in a constituency. The provision to force candidates to stand in either a constituency or on a list was condemned by both opposition parties and the Electoral Commission. Ms Gillan said it "put democracy at risk". The Conservative's Assembly leader Nick Bourne said: "The Government of Wales Bill is designed to rig the electoral system in Labour's favour. "It is also a recipe for constitutional conflict which will force the Assembly to go to Westminster with a begging bowl to ask for pieces of legislation or powers to pass legislation." | 
