Rachel Banner, leader of True Wales, the group that campaigned against further devolution of powers to Wales says: ''It's pretty clear that Welsh Ministers, one by one, are cutting every tie that binds us to the United Kingdom.''
Campaigners opposed to further devolution say they fear the GCSE regrade row could mean that any new exam system in Wales would be seen as a 'poor man's alternative' to qualifications in England. The True Wales group says the regrade could 'do lasting damage.' Its statement says,
True Wales is deeply concerned about the haste with which Leighton Andrews ordered the regrading of GCSE English exam papers in Wales. We fear that a perception that it is easier to gain a 'C' in Wales than in England will become widespread and may do lasting damage to the prospects of future generations of Welsh students who wish to work or study outside Wales.
The row has increased speculation that pupils on different sides of the border will ultimately sit different exams. True Wales is concerned about this outcome:
We are disappointed that tensions between Cardiff Bay and Westminster have led to the likely eventuality of separate examination systems for England and Wales and feel that the events of this summer mean that any new system in Wales will be seen as a poor man's alternative.