Drakeford responds to Johnson jibe: ‘I care what people of Wales think, not distant commentator’
Mark Drakeford has responded to a jibe by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons by saying that he doesn’t care what he thinks.
Boris Johnson described the restrictions in Wales as “baroque eccentricities” during Prime Minister’s questions on Wednesday.
Wales’ First Minister responded at today’s press conference by saying that he doubted if Boris Johnson actually knew what the restrictions in Wales were.
The First Minister responded: “I don’t think for a second that Boris Johnson is familiar with what is going on here in Wales. He was just making a political point in a political context and I don’t think we should attach much weight to that. I don’t pay much attention to what he says in the House of Commons.
“The rules we have here in Wales are clear. The evidence shows that the people of Wales still support us in doing what we’re asking them to do. I’m just happy to be in that situation.
“I place more emphasis on what the people of Wales think than some relatively distant commentator.”
‘Bonkers’
Despite health being a devolved matter, a number of senior English and Welsh Conservatives at the House of Commons have taken the opportunity this week to criticise the restrictions put in place by the First Minister Mark Drakeford, which came in on Boxing Day.
The stricter rules introduced in Wales from Boxing Day mean that groups of no more than six people could meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants.
Meanwhile, outdoor events are limited to 50, while 30 people allowed indoors, leading to many sporting events being cancelled or played behind closed doors.
As well as Boris Johnson, the Welsh Secretary Simon Hart also said the Welsh Government was guilty of a “huge number of mystifying and contradictory positions”.
“It seems that it is all right for people to go to a pub but not to their office. They can watch the rugby from the clubhouse but not from the touchline. They can go to a gym but they cannot partake in an outdoor activity such as parkrun.”
MPs from England also weighed in. Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant, who said that he spent Christmas in Wales, said that he “met a number of business people in the evening who said that Mark Drakeford’s plans for covid restrictions were nothing but political posturing and that they were damaging their economy”.
Former Secretary of State for Business Andrea Leadsom also described the restrictions as “bonkers”.
“Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Welsh Government’s decision to prevent people from taking part in parkruns—not just Welsh citizens but those from the English side taking part in Welsh parkruns—has meant that those people have been significantly detrimentally affected by such a bonkers decision?” she asked.
MP Rob Roberts, who was elected as a Conservative, asked whether it would be possible for “devolution to be suspended temporarily” as a result of the Covid pandemic.
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Every single tory despises Wales. Even those fake plastic Welsh in their scummy party constantly denigrating our country. All they care about is getting a pat on their head by their unelected head of state. They are brainwashed and quislings and any politician acting like that in any other country would be put in jail for how they try and disrupt our countries progress.They are traitors to the very people they are meant to represent.
Agreed. They would sacrifice Wales without a moment’s hesitation. Then declare how proud they are to be of service to England.
I have a friend who keeps cows. Plenty of pats available, let me know…
Oh dear what a load of rubbish you spout out.
Da iawn Mark, keep rattling Bojo’s cage. So glad we have you as our Prif Weinidog rather than the imbecile across the border.
Agreed. Well said.
Deluded person, get yourself tucked up in bed.
He’s a clown is duck foot ruining our wonderful country
Mark Crawford has done more for consciousness of Welsh identity than any politician for centuries. Unfortunately, he arrived too late.
Dictated incorrectly …obviously Mark drakeford
Could have been worse, could have been Michael Crawford.
Deleted
You dont eve know your blessed leaders surnslame
Look to Europe, not Westminster.
Da iaw Marc Dalwch ati peidiwch a grand ar y pen melon?
Ignoring Boris and his bluster, Rob Roberts sounds a lot more dangerous. If devolution were to be “suspended temporarily”, that is a very slippery slope…
Why not make it permanent
What is wrong with these idiots? Hasn’t there been national incidents declared in many English hospitals due to Covid? Aren’t there far more bin men, lorry train and bus drivers off sick in England? By doing nothing the PM is just being damn right stupid. I”m looking forward to the day of the UK national inquiry into Covid – how many Tories will be blabbing then?
Don’t hold your breath on that one. Most of their enquiries get buried.
Or in Tony Blair s case over iraqi war most gets incinerated
May be in years to come we’ll look back at this and say ‘that’s where it started’.
I agree that English Tory MPs should butt out, but is Drakeford listening to the people of Wales by implementing these restrictions?
Everytime an MP attacks WG it raises the numbers supporting Welsh independence. Also, funny how they want suspend or end Welsh devolution, even though ee voted for it. Mention suspending or abolishing Brexit and they soon quick to say Britain voted for it, so it can’t be reversed. Well get this, Wales voted for devolution and again to increase WG powers, so back off, or we’ll be gone
You won’t go very far …. you can’t afford too… its the English that keeps your country afloat …
Its English or foreign companys that employee the most . ..so go….. but you’ll be back with your tail between your legs …
Wots the hells wrong with you taffs…always blaming the english…..get over it….
Roll out the usual uncosted and not scrutinable ‘ we can’t afford it’ b******s and ‘damn lies’ again. We can and we will. Take a deep look into where all the taxes raised in Wales are recorded, and what is actually spent in Wales, you will quickly see that we are being still being leached by the English as we have been for centuries. We are a nation be that can support ourselves. Fact!