Welsh Conservatives today warned that consensus on the need to reform the funding structures for Wales could be under threat.
Speaking last month, Labour Leader Ed Miliband suggested that Barnett reform was not on his agenda, stating that the formula “has served us pretty well.”
Nick Bourne AM, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, today issued the First Minister that mixed messages from the Labour Party could scupper all-party support for reforming the way Wales is funded in future.
Nick Bourne AM said, “There is a general consensus amongst parties in Wales that the Barnett Formula has passed its sell-by date and needs to be revised.
“This view is shared by my Party in Westminster and the Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan.
“I am concerned that the Labour Party in Westminster is making negative noises about Barnett reform and could be threatening all party support for a fairer funding mechanism.
“As recently as last month Ed Miliband suggested that his party would not support reviewing Barnett, while during the recent leadership campaign Ed Balls made clear his view that Wales already gets too much money.
“The First Minister needs to come clean on exactly where Labour stands on Barnett reform. Labour had thirteen years in power when they had every opportunity to change the way that Wales is funded, yet they evidently failed to do so.”
