| Education, Health, Economy, Electoral Reform, Natural Resources Wales |
A Political Diary |
| Interesting Things Said August to October , Public Life of Wales , October 27, 2024 |
After the general election of 4th July Paul Johnson of the Institute for Fiscal Studies spoke of the essentials for good government: macroeconomic stability, investment in education and infrastructure, tax and planning reform, as free a relationship with the EU as possible* * * * 7th August. With a new First Minister Plaid Cymru returned to the politics of supplication. Rhun ap Iorwerth: “The First Minister should be knocking on the door of Number 10 Downing Street demanding a fair funding model from Wales from her Labour colleague Keir Starmer. Failure to do so will prove that any claims that having two Labour governments are a good thing for Wales will prove to be nothing more than pie in the sky.” https://nation.cymru/news/eluned-morgan-warns-of-cuts-to-services-in-wales-within-hours-of-being-elected-first-minister/ * * * * 15th August. “Plaid Cymru says the Welsh Government must secure a fair funding deal from the UK Government in order to invest at all levels of education and ensure there are opportunities for young people. Spokesperson for Finance, Culture and the Welsh Language Heledd Fychan said: “After 25 years in power in Wales, we need to see bold action from the Labour Welsh Government. Securing a fair funding settlement from the UK Labour Government will mean "money to invest in our schools, universities and apprenticeships programmes – to tackle the teacher recruitment and retention crisis and provide a fair funding settlement for Welsh universities. Now is the time to invest in the future of our young people. "The Welsh Government spokesperson: “The amount of funding set aside for school budgets is for local authorities to determine, we do not fund schools directly. Local authorities are expected to work with schools to ensure funding arrangements are effective in supporting and raising the achievement of all learners, this includes funding for school staff.” “As universities are independent organisations, they manage their budgets in a range of ways.” https://nation.cymru/news/calls-for-welsh-government-to-secure-fair-funding-for-education-sector/ * * * * 19th August. Andrew Davies. “In a damning paper published by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIER) that he wrote with Professor Jonathan Bradbury, also of Swansea University, Prof Davies has analysed the economic policies pursued by Welsh governments since what is now the Senedd was set up, and concluded they have failed to produce greater prosperity because of policy shortcomings. “The Welsh economic development strategy since devolution has been limited in coherence and consistency. The four economic development strategies published by the Welsh Government since 1999 have contained some continuities, but they have not sustained a clear long-term set of aims and objectives and means of achieving them. “Welsh economic development strategy since devolution has developed many ambitious aims, but this has not been matched by a strong and consistent focus on how to implement them. This reflects the lack of a clear set of means and performance indicators for achieving the Welsh Government’s broader Wellbeing of Future Generations goals of a more prosperous, resilient and equal Wales. “Welsh Government approaches on transport, renewable energy and public procurement all provide examples of where the Welsh Government has struggled to develop long-term policies to support a transformation of the Welsh economy. All too often it is also presumed that passing a new law or developing a new policy is enough to initiate change, and there remains an implementation gap. “The development and governance of economic development policy in Wales has in practice been marked by limited mechanisms of accountability. Currently, much of the development of policy has been passed to consortia of local councils and regional officers, working in a relatively closed policy arena away from public view. “Compared to other devolved jurisdictions Wales lacks a culture of diverse and effective challenge to government policy. There is a predominant public sector ethos, and voluntary sector and civil society organisations are very dependent upon the state.” “Other things being equal, one would expect Wales to gain advantage from the potential afforded by devolution, but in practice it has experienced little success in achieving relative improvement even against fellow regional strugglers. “This is reflected in an indifferent performance in productivity levels, GDP per capita, research and development, unemployment rates and poverty levels. “In truth, Wales has experienced the same economic trends as the rest of the UK outside London and South East England. There are some indicators of improvement but very few of relative improvement. “The question is why has elected devolved government in Wales not made more of a demonstrable difference to meeting similar challenges to those faced by large parts of England which have not enjoyed political devolution? “In this context it is plausible to reframe analysis of economic performance in Wales to focus more on how actors at the devolved level have approached regional development, rather than on external constraints and contingent factors.” “...Being the boy that points out the emperor has no clothes is not always welcomed in a small country like Wales and can be an uncomfortable position to take, certainly given the dominant political culture we describe in our article.” https://nation.cymru/news/top-welsh-labour-figure-says-promised-economic-benefits-of-devolution-remain-undelivered/ * * * * 22nd August: On healthcare lists newly-appointed Health Secretary Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We have been very clear with health boards that we expect to see a focus on reducing long waiting times. We will continue to support the NHS to improve the timeliness of planned and emergency care.” https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9359wkzn23o * * * * 29th August. An advertisement “headed Leading in a Bilingual Country (LIBC) is “a development programme for senior leaders to create an organisational culture in which the Welsh language can flourish. We (the Welsh Government) seek to further develop the programme that looks at unconscious bias – understanding how inherent bias in people and organisations can inhibit moving Cymraeg forward and how an understanding of group dynamics and actively seeking diverse views around the topic can address this; and empathy – how leaders explore and protect the opportunity to listen to others’ opinions and experiences of Cymraeg to develop mutual understanding.” Tom Giffard, a Welsh Conservative MS for South Wales West, said: “When difficult decisions need to be made across government, spending nearly £400,000 on a programme to look at ‘unconscious bias’ and ’empathy’ around the Welsh language in the public sector is another colossal waste of money from the Welsh Labour Government. “Taxpayers expect their hard-earned money to be spent on things like our schools and our NHS, not wasted away by a Welsh Labour Government on pet projects which will make little difference to the lives of ordinary people across Wales.” A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Welsh language belongs to us all, wherever we are on our Welsh language journey and there’s widespread support for our aim of a million Welsh speakers and an increase in the daily use of Welsh by 2050.” https://nation.cymru/news/tories-say-400k-welsh-language-empathy-programme-is-a-colossal-waste-of-money/ * * * * 1st September. Luke Fletcher: “A Plaid Cymru Welsh Government will overturn 25 years of economic stagnation under Labour – delivering economic renewal through setting measurable and ambitious targets for an economy that prioritises decent work, sustainability, and economic well-being. A new development agency for Wales will prioritise growing and supporting Welsh-owned businesses, underpinned by a new deal for small businesses on rates.” “And above all, new supports for social enterprises, community-led ventures and co-operative businesses will build, retain and recycle wealth in our communities.” https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-to-set-out-radical-and-ambitious-economic-vision/ * * * * 2nd September 2024. Political theory is thin in the commentary of Wales. Gwern Gwynfil wrote an article “New Century, New Ideas, New Wales.” “I am a left of centre, liberal collectivist who wrestles with an inner tension between free market inclinations and recognition of the vital role of government and a strong civic society.” [Comment: There is no tension. The two are complements. See Jane Jacobs' book “System of Survival” from 1992] He stresses the pragmatism of government. “More than anything else I believe in making things work and work well, fuelled by a culture of constant innovation and improvement – ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it’ is assuredly my political antithesis.” “I am an internationalist – we all are. The smartphones in our pockets mean that we are connected to the whole world, all the time, almost everywhere – there’s no escaping internationalism anymore, even if you’re North Korea, technology will break down the barriers sooner or later.” [This is vague and likely delusional. Technology is a mirror to political structure.] “In the last 25 years, social media, digital technology, an ever smaller world, have blown away the idea that people can be anything other than what or whom they choose to be. Reactionary culture warriors may well wish this was not the case but they are trying to hold back a wall of water with pebbles for a dam. Those who’ve grown up with the world in their pocket and on their screens will be whoever they decide they want to be and no one will be able to deny them their choices.” [What this means...] And a dose of abstract language to finish. “Wales needs bold, innovative, fresh thinking from its politicians; it needs a vision of its future that inspires; it needs clear goals that everyone in Wales can understand and strive to achieve; it needs to clearly express its place in the world today and its aspiration for tomorrow.” https://nation.cymru/opinion/new-century-new-ideas-new-wales/ * * * * 8th September. Martin Shipton: “Another nail in the coffin of Welsh democracy was hammered home this week with the publication of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru proposals for the new “super constituencies” that will be used to elect the expanded Senedd of 96 Members in 2026. “No criticism should be made of the Commission – its members have done the job they were told to do. But the outcome is a dog’s dinner that is likely to result in greater alienation of the people of Wales from the national parliament that is meant to serve them. “Instead of having one constituency Member to represent them, as happens under the present system, there will be six. Of course there are also four regional Members under existing arrangements, but they tend to be seen – at least from a constituency perspective – as incidental add-ons rather than core to the task of representation. “By electing six MSs from a Closed List system where people vote for a party rather than an individual, the crucial personality element of politics is being eliminated. Individuals will be elected to the Senedd not because of their appeal to voters or work they have done, but because they have played the system within their party to ensure they are at the top of the Closed List or close to it. “Who will secure the “top seed” places? People who are regarded as loyalists to the party tribe who will not just follow the party whip come what may, but actively work to ensure that what the party hierarchy wants, the party hierarchy gets. For any maverick who does manage to get selected, there will be the constant threat of deselection if they step out of line. “...Under the Closed List system, every voter is robbed for choice except the mundane option of ticking a list chosen by party apparatchiks motivated predominantly by the desire to win power and retain it. “When campaigning in the 1997 referendum that resulted in a narrow victory for establishing what was initially the National Assembly, Ron Davies said Wales needed the nation’s “brightest and best” to be elected. More recently Professor Laura McAllister, who chaired a panel that recommended an increase in the number of MSs to be elected by STV or a similar system, has argued that a larger Senedd would necessarily lead to better scrutiny and better legislation. “I don’t think many people believe that we have a Senedd full of Wales’ brightest and best. Nor am I anywhere near being convinced that the calibre will improve once the number of MSs elected shoots up from 60 to 96. “I see people promoting themselves on social media and being sycophantic to their party leaders. The only reason I can think why they engage in such humiliating behaviour is to tout for selection as a Closed List candidate in 2026. From my perspective, they display little originality of thought and reinforce my prejudice against party tribalists of all persuasions. “They are a far cry from the type of MS wanted by Ron Davies, Laura McAllister and, I believe, Wales as a whole.” “....We’re entering a new phase of Welsh politics. It’s likely to be a rough ride. https://nation.cymru/opinion/welsh-politics-is-entering-a-new-phase-its-likely-to-be-a-rough-ride/ * * * * 15th September. First Minister: “There will be a lot more transparency. Accountability is important.” Sunday Politics BBC Cymru Wales * * * * 8th October: In plenary session in the Senedd a ministerial statement read: “Nearly a decade ago, this Senedd passed an ambitious, groundbreaking piece of legislation, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Unique to Wales, it sets a common purpose for the public sector, and details the ways in which the public bodies listed in the Act must work and work together to improve the lives of people in Cymru, now and in the future. “It placed a clear expectation that public bodies would collaborate and involve people in their decision making. Since that Act was passed, the well-being of future generations agenda has been driving continuous improvement in how Government and public bodies work, so that future generations can expect a better quality of life on a healthy planet. “We have, Llywydd, more recently taken another bold step, building on the well-being of future generations Act to embed our distinctive Welsh way of partnership working into our public services.This is also built on the principle that decisions are better when they involve people who are affected by them—in this case, workers. “I am delighted to be leading the implementation of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023. “It consolidates the place of the well-being of future generations Act in our public services. A new social partnership duty is now in force, which means that workers have a stronger voice in the delivery of public services, which, in turn, should lead to better outcomes for citizens and communities “The social partnership council places social partnership on a statutory footing, bringing together public, private, third sector and worker representatives to advise Ministers on social partnership issues. I co-chaired the fourth meeting of the council with the First Minister last week, and was pleased that the council is already embedding social partnership at the heart of the Welsh Government's policy making. The council is exploring how the Welsh Government can use its financial levers to drive fair work, and has provided cross-sector employer and worker perspectives on our budget preparations and our annual legislative programme.294 “Shared ownership of problems and a shared commitment to joint solutions give us an opportunity to build an economy that promotes fair work, promotes equality, and promotes economic, social and environmental justice—Llywydd, an economy in which everyone has a voice. This isn’t just about legislation; this is about changing lives. We have long encouraged social partnership working, bringing together partners from across Government, employers and trade unions, as the best means of finding solutions to the challenges facing Wales, based on meaningful and honest collaboration. This Welsh way of working, characterised by shared ownership of problems and a shared commitment to joint solutions, is built on relationships based on trust and respect.” https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/14139#A90960 * * * * 10th October: Hannah Blythyn: “I think growth needs to be equitable in the way that it’s both generated and governed and as part of an approach that empowers people rather than exploits them.” The former minister argued public money should not go to businesses that do not align their principles with the Welsh Government’s commitment to fair work. Dr John Ball. “The Senedd inherited a number of development powers, notably from the WDA and DBRW and has powers that sit along with economic development. In a nutshell – powers to develop industrial sites; provide finance (itself or through Finance Wales) including grants, loans and equity; advice services; planning and highways – and education.. All these, taken together, are useful and indeed powerful economic development tools.” https://www.pressreader.com/uk/western-mail/20241010/281621015775979 * * * * 20th October. Gwern Gwynfil: “What has happened to the intellectual foundations of our political world? Shouldn’t we expect more than a facile desire for power? We need more than a utopian vision of an ill-defined future loosely hooked onto a woolly definition of identity.” https://nation.cymru/opinion/a-new-age-of-reason/ * * * * 22nd October. Huw Irranca-Davies: “There is no doubt that the professional and passionate staff within NRW work hard every day to help to protect our environment and the health and wellbeing of people in Wales. The Welsh Government continues to support NRW in undertaking their crucial role and to hold them to account in that delivery.” “In its accounts NRW say: "We have received HMRC’s opinion on a potential liability in relation to IR35 and contractors which we have responded to. A liability may materialise and a wide range of values are possible. However, during the financial year, without any admission of liability, NRW has made a without prejudice payment on account to HMRC of £19m.” https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/welsh-government-forced-to-give-19m-to-natural-resources-wales-in-hmrc-tax-probe/ar-AA1sEXbv?ocid=socialshare * * * * 27th October: Mark Drakeford: “failure to pass a budget is a failure of the institution of the Senedd as a whole.” Radio Cymru Wales Sunday Supplement |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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