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Conservative AM suggests cross-party coalition Welsh Government as Covid-19 concerns grow

26 Mar 2020 2 minute read
Andrew RT Davies

Welsh Conservative Andrew RT Davies has suggested that the party would be willing to join the Welsh Government in order to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

The South Wales Central AM said that he was critical of some of the government’s handling of the crisis, particularly in relation to the lack of support given to farmers.

“Given the current circumstances with political representation and scrutiny from AMs significantly reduced, a National Unity Government in Wales is going up the agenda,” he said.

“Cooperation across parties is vital and would ensure all parts of Wales, including our rural communities, feel represented at a time of great national worry.”

 

‘Blind-spot’

He said that a number of farmers across Wales have contacted him as the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs asking when the Welsh Government will make an announcement measures to support farmers and rural communities.

An oral statement was originally slated for Tuesday’s plenary agenda, before normal proceedings were shelved in light of the ‘lockdown’ and self-distancing advice. Members are still waiting for the written statement to arrive.

“The silence so far from the Welsh Labour Government’s rural affairs department during the coronavirus crisis is a grave concern for rural communities across Wales,” he said.

“Rural Wales and agriculture has traditionally been a blind-spot for the Welsh Labour Government and this has been summed up through a dire lack of action so far.

“Livestock markets are shutting, businesses have cash-flow issues and farmers have concerns over inspections, grant applications and the potential for new water regulations, yet we’ve not heard anything from the Minister for weeks.

“After the Assembly session was essentially scrapped on Tuesday, Members were promised a statement, yet we are still waiting.”


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max wallis
max wallis
4 years ago

A cross-party government in Wales does look needed, as opposition AMs are making the running on controlling Public Health Wales. Andrew RT Davies raised for me the PHW statement on Sunday that “People over 70, and vulnerable groups of any age will be asked within days to be shielded from social contact for several weeks.” These unthinking officials define ‘vulnerable’ as those eligible for free flu jabs, which includes health-care workers and over-65s. Grouping over-65s/70s without health conditions as more vulnerable than other fit adults and stop them shopping, going out walking (dog exercising) and helping out neighbours would produce… Read more »

Hywel Moseley
Hywel Moseley
4 years ago

I fully support Mr Andrew Davies’s suggestion provided that is not a device to introduce into Welsh politics any anti self-government policies.

Hywel Moseley
Hywel Moseley
4 years ago
Reply to  Hywel Moseley

I am getting old. I could not think of the word Unionist. I could without much difficulty vote Tory if it dropped its unionist title, policies and beliefs. My old flatmate, a former Labour MP, told me once that I was essentially a Christian Democrat. (as I recollect about 50 years later) Since I did not study politics he may have been right; I do not know what label applies to me.. I am certainly not a supporter of the extreme left wing beliefs of Corbyn and his likes. So far as I am aware Andrew Davies supports the whole… Read more »

Ernie The Smallholder
Ernie The Smallholder
4 years ago
Reply to  Hywel Moseley

I was of the opinion that England needed a ‘Christian Democrat’. However, there was one of sorts…. The Independent Group, but those people who contested the 2019 GE unfortunately were not elected.

Today’s Conservative and Labour (in England) are now extremists, so therefore, the only chance for a federal Britain is with a majority Liberal Democrat government at Westminster, or one supported with our own Plaid Cymru, Greens and SNP.

More possible at this moment for Welsh, Scottish (and English) independence within a reformed EU.

Kerry Davies
Kerry Davies
4 years ago

Man votes for Brexit to cut off EU funding for farmers. Man asks for support for farmers. Man is member of governing party in Westminster that has flatly refused to reveal support for farmers over and over and over again.
Surely this cannot be the same man?

j humphrys
j humphrys
4 years ago
Reply to  Kerry Davies

Read it again folks. It’s a fishing expedition.

John
John
4 years ago

Much as I dislike and deeply distrust the Tories, right now this is the correct thing to do, given the confusion in Cardiff Bay right now. And join in the NHS England volunteer scheme for which we have no equivalent. Just one thing, Andrew RT Davies. Put equal pressure on the PM to abandon his ego and move to a Govt of National Unityin England…

Michael McGrane
Michael McGrane
4 years ago
Reply to  John

A good idea, after all the crisis is being described as a war. A pity it wasn’t suggested after Brexit. When there’s an almost insoluble problem you need unity of purpose. Scientists of all sorts are usually better at co-operation than politicians, knowledge should be independent of artificial boundaries.

Jonathan Gammond
Jonathan Gammond
4 years ago
Reply to  John

It might happen once Labour have elected their new leader. However while Corbyn is still leader – no chance.

Walter Hunt
Walter Hunt
4 years ago

If all the parties are in the government, who is there to hold this oligarchy to account?

Hywel Moseley
Hywel Moseley
4 years ago
Reply to  Walter Hunt

Us?

Rhosddu
Rhosddu
4 years ago
Reply to  Walter Hunt

A government of national unity doesn’t mean they all have to do what Boris says.

j humphrys
j humphrys
4 years ago
Reply to  Rhosddu

Boris positive as of today.

j humphrys
j humphrys
4 years ago

The Tories make sure our Gov. has little power, then blame them for not doing enough in a crisis!
Anyway, too many cooks………………..

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