Responding to The First Ministers statement today, claiming that “Wales is facing the toughest financial situation since devolution”, James Evans MS is calling on the Leader of the Welsh Labour Party to get his house in order and take responsibility for the role his administration has played in leading to today’s statement.
Commenting on the First Ministers statement, James Evans said.
“Today’s statement by the First Minster is a real kick in the teeth for the people of Wales. To lay blame for the gross mishandling of the Welsh purse on Westminster when Wales is currently receiving the largest funding settlement in the history of devolution shows the level of contempt and disregard Mark Drakeford has for his actions as First Minister. In March this year, Welsh Labour Ministers returned £150m to the Westminster government, after failing to spend the budget in time. While we should expect nothing less from an administration that has recently come under fire for dodging scrutiny at home over its handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic, there should be no doubt that as things stand, democratic governance here in Wales is being given the back hand from Labour Ministers.
James Evans MS goes on to say.
“We know that the First Minister is not one to take responsibility for his actions. We saw this when he misled the Senedd and was forced to correct the record over a statement he made regarding Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board. Today highlights the style and tone of Welsh Labour politics in Wales. If, as the First Minister claimed, that “Wales is facing the toughest financial situation since devolution”, he could have recalled parliament and made a statement to the Siambr. Instead, he chose to release a statement, away from the media, away from the cameras and away from the scrutiny of elected members. If this is the new norm in Welsh democracy, we should all be very concerned. We are three years away from the next Senedd election; however, I urge on back bench colleagues in Welsh Labour to take notice of the damage being done by an increasingly reckless administration.”
James Evans MS will respond to the First Ministers statement in full when the Senedd reconvenes in the autumn.
