Gove claims meetings with Welsh and Scottish governments are ‘festivals of cordiality’
Michael Gove has claimed that meetings with the Welsh and Scottish Governments are a “festival of cordiality” and that grievances are invented in order to keep activists happy.
The new Communities Secretary was taking questions in the House of Commons on the Internal Market Bill, which has been described as a “power grab” by the Welsh Government.
Michael Gove said that he met with the Welsh and Scottish governments every week and that behind closed doors there was actually very little that differed in the viewpoints of the different governments.
“Those meetings are, if you are privileged enough to observe them, they’re like a nest of singing birds,” he said.
“They are festivals of cordiality, and I recognise that the SNP needs to keep its activist base happy with the recitation of these grievances, but the reality is that those who serve in the Scottish Government know that we in the UK Government are their friends and partners, and Scotland has no better friend than the other citizens of the United Kingdom.”
‘Contrast’
He also hinted that there would be further attempts to give money directly to councils in Wales and Scotland, bypassing their governments, in tomorrow’s Budget.
“We’d never ride roughshod or otherwise over the devolution settlement,” he said.
“I hope that shortly we’ll be receiving news from the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the allocation of funds under the Internal Market Bill’s financial assistance power through the levelling-up fund.
“It’s great to have on the ground locally elected representatives, supporting the financial assistance power, the Internal Market Bill and the vital importance of making sure we all work together.
“Of course, I won’t interfere in the devolution settlement, but there is a contrast between our approach, where we devolve more power to local government in England, and the approach of the current Scottish Government, which is to take power away from Scottish councils.”
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I think the expression of never trust a Tory definitely rings true here.
It’s time for a new wales 🏴 we in wales have got to stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh kick all English party’s out of wales 🏴 and start fighting for your children and grandchildren future in wales 🏴
I think we are all aware to be wary of anything that comes from the mouth of Michael Gove, the most renowned manipulative backstabber in the Tory party.
Never believe, trust or underestimate a Tory
Liar
The First thing that came into my mind was the Nazis arranging parties in concentration camps for the benefit of Red Cross visits
To me, this rings true. I do not sense that the Welsh Government is really fighting our corner, in the face of the worst Westminster aggression since Tryweryn.
Token resistance. Over tea and biscuits and much back-slapping.
If that’s the case Mr Gove, why is the ‘union unit’ meeting in secret? What’s there to hide?
Does the ‘union’ unit invite representatives from the devolved governments?
Eeuch, what’s in this cordial, Gove?
The Josef Goebbels propaganda unit would be in awe of Gove
Must be all that Bolivian Marching Powder he’s so fond of
Read the First Minister’s comments in his Aneurin Bevan speech yesterday, Gove, and then try and convince people that things are “cordial” between the two governments.
I don’t believe a word this man says – he’s always talked bullsh*t.