Snow, who often voted with the Republicans, was considered one of the most conservative Democrats in the General Assembly, and his record reflected the views of his constituents.

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New guidelines published by the Welsh Assembly Government last week said school governors should take in religious views and consider whether their uniform policy interferes with the right to manifest a religion or belief.

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Nick Fenwick, FUW, suggested that the views the minister expressed might have been different had the assembly government made more "robust statement" about their preferred direction of travel.

BBC: Rural Development Sub-committee

In the same month, the Welsh Assembly Government published new guidelines for school governors, saying they should take account of religious views and consider whether uniform policy interfered with the right to manifest a religion or belief.

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Republican Party chiefs had backed Dede Scozzafava, who sits in the state Assembly, to contest the seat, but her pro-choice, pro-gay marriage and union-friendly views attracted the ire of conservatives.

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