The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly has urged Labour to put an end to the blame game and concentrate instead on the delivery it promised after the Assembly election.
In his New Year message Andrew RT Davies AM has called for increased co-operation with the UK Government and warned that the Assembly’s new law-making powers are on the verge of being wasted. Appealing for more focus on delivery within the NHS, education and the economy, Mr Davies has also cautioned against Labour’s ‘disregard’ for the future of frontline health services.
In 2011 the Welsh Conservatives became the second largest party in the National Assembly. We fought the Assembly election with health, the economy and education as our main priorities, and in 2012, we remain entirely focused on getting what’s right for the people of Wales and holding the Welsh Labour government to account.
Make no mistake, the next twelve months will be challenging. On that, all parties in Wales agree. Where we differ, is on how that challenge should be met.
With the right vision, the right policies and a determination to succeed, Wales can weather the economic storm and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before. To make that happen, leadership, decision-making and urgent delivery are all critical. Yet that’s exactly where Labour is failing. While the First Minister happily heaps blame upon the UK Government week after week, the powers he holds in his own hands are gathering dust.
Small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of our economy. During the election we promised to wipe out their business rates. That’s decisive action. That’s the kind of support our economy needs; immediate and hugely beneficial. Labour has refused to do it. Last spring, the UK Government announced a series of enterprise zones for England. Six months later Labour finally did the same in Wales. Still we wait for their introduction.
Last March an historic referendum vote for a law-making National Assembly positively changed the Welsh political landscape for good. It was a momentous moment that should carve out a remarkable future for our country. Yet as we enter 2012, there is a real possibility that those new powers will be completely wasted. While little in the way of legislation has so far passed the floor of the Assembly, Labour shortly intends to use the new powers at its disposal to legislate on cycle lanes. Independent experts have warned that this is ‘not a natural fit for the problems Wales confronts.’ I agree. Wales is at a crossroads. We can stride ahead with what has been gained, or move backwards and ignore it. Over the next 12 months, I urge Labour to ditch the latter and rethink its priorities.
The First Minister’s blame game must stop and delivery and co-operation must become his new focus. Constructive collaboration with the UK Government will be integral to meeting 2012’s economic challenges head-on. This is where much of his effort must lie if Wales is to push ahead successfully.
While the economy remains paramount, no responsible government should ignore all else at its expense. Earlier this month Labour pushed through a final budget that will cut 75 million pounds from the NHS in 2012/13 alone. They bartered a deal with the Welsh Liberal Democrats which resulted in a grand total of zero in additional funding for health. That’s not fair on patients the length and breadth of Wales. As it stands, waiting time targets are not being met, vacancies are not being filled and operations are being cancelled. Hospitals face closure and service provision is under immense strain. 2012 will be key in safeguarding our hospitals and improving that service provision. There is a serious disregard for the NHS within Welsh Labour that I sincerely hope will change during the coming year.
In education too, standards have dropped. A decade of Labour inaction has led to an appalling deterioration that must be properly addressed. We currently have a minister intent on creating the façade of change within the Welsh education system, with no real certainty of what the end result will be for teachers, pupils and their families. Again, the next 12 months will be crucial in putting that right.
Labour’s centralised diktats – such as the failed TAN 8 planning process – must continue to be challenged, and 2012 will provide an opportunity for everyone to have their say. In mid-Wales in particular, where the problem of wind farm development remains enormous, people will have the chance to redress Labour’s mistakes in the local government elections.
In Wales, Welsh Conservatives are the only party of localism. We are the only party committed to empowering people and the communities they live in. These are the values that we will continue to strive for, and in May, everyone will have the opportunity to vote for them.
Welsh Conservatives begin 2012 with an incredibly strong team within the Assembly. We are the official opposition and we have more Assembly Members than ever before. We are on the side of families and individuals the length and breadth of Wales and we will fight for them endlessly with the strongest voice possible.
