The First Minister has been forced to admit that he mistakenly promised a detailed manufacturing strategy for Wales, when no such plan was ever in the works.
A government strategy will not be published at all, despite assurances in the Assembly Chamber this week.
Following four years of constant promises that a strategy was on its way, a 12 page document released last week is all WAG will be providing.
When questioned by Nick Bourne AM during First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday, Carwyn Jones AM claimed: “…the publication of the manufacturing strategy is planned before the Assembly dissolves …”
In a letter to Mr Bourne – dated March 24th – the First Minister said: “I have subsequently been advised that this is not the case …..”
Mr Bourne, the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly, said:
“Who is currently running the Welsh Assembly Government; the First Minister, or his advisors and civil servants? He clearly has no idea what’s going on.
“For three years and eleven months he has consistently publically promised a government manufacturing strategy for Wales – and warned that it should not be rushed.
“Now he admits that was never the case and – presumably – he simply doesn’t have a clue what his staff are up to.
“Manufacturing is absolutely vital for Wales. We’ve got to boost and support the industry as much as possible. Last week the Manufacturing Forum published its vision for the future. I wholeheartedly welcome it.
“However, the document clearly states – and rightly so – that it does not constitute a ‘government strategy’.
“Neither can its 12 important pages be called the end of three years and 11 months of government work.
“This strategy has been farcically handled for years.
“It’s time a party with economic sense ran Wales, and it’s time we had a First Minister with some idea of what his government’s doing.”
