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ITV Debate ‘utter embarrassment’ for Labour says party’s AM as Adam Price skewers Burgon

02 Dec 2019 3 minute read
Richard Burgon and Adam Price. Picture by ITV

A Labour Assembly Member has said that last night’s ITV Leader’s Debate was an “utter embarrassment” for the party.

During the debate, Adam Price asked Labour shadow secretary of state for justice Richard Burgon why Labour in Wales hadn’t introduced free social care, as the SNP had in Scotland.

“You keep saying Richard how disappointed you are in me, but not half as disappointed as I am in your government in Wales,” Adam Price said.

“If it’s possible in Scotland, answer me this, why is it not possible in Wales where you’re the party of government?”

Richard Burgon did not answer, prompting the chair to ask “Why isn’t it possible Richard Burgon?” as the audience laughed.

The Plaid Cymru Leader was taking part in the seven-way debate live with the Labour Party’s Richard Burgon, the Green Party’s Sian Berry, The Brexit Party’s Nigel Farage, the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon and Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson.

ITV Journalist Robert Peston said that “Richard Burgon’s face just now was the moment of the ITV debate when Aam Price asked him why Labour in Wales hadn’t introduced free social care. Comedy gold.”

Reacting on Twitter, Labour AM Alun Davies said: “For those of us in Welsh Labour it is a moment of utter embarrassment.”

“Richard Burgon is an embarrassment. OMG. And it’s time that Welsh Labour and UK Labour learnt how to run a UK-wide political campaign.”

 

‘Hypocrisy’

Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell AM said that there was no doubt that Adam Price was the winner of the ITV debate.

” He took the two Westminster parties to task challenging both Labour and the Tories on their hypocrisy,” she said.

“He lambasted the Prime Minister’s dangerous divisive language and challenged the Tory lie that is ‘Get Brexit Done’ when the reality is that we could still face a crash-out no-deal Brexit and years of painful negotiations.

“Meanwhile, Labour don’t know what side of Brexit they want to be on. How can we trust them when they say one thing but do something different in government here in Wales?

“Neither Labour nor the Tories sent leaders or leadership.

“Adam spoke with genuine conviction, integrity and passion. Measured and impassioned, he represents the honest and sincere leadership that we are crying out.

“He stood up for Wales, he stood up for the underdog. He stood up for women and he stood up for minorities.

“Adam Price has emerged in this election as the dominant political figure in Wales. He is the Leader Wales needs and for real change, it’s us.”


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A Prophecy is Buried in Eglwyseg
A Prophecy is Buried in Eglwyseg
4 years ago

Even if Plaid Cymru won beyond its wildest dreams: the Bro Gymraeg, Caerffili, Pontypridd, Cardiff West… Conwy.

There is still a simple truth. One which we’re not ready to speak of yet

Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
4 years ago

Er it would mean Wales is well on it’s way to independence ? don’t know why you find that difficult to speak of

A Prophecy is Buried in Eglwyseg
A Prophecy is Buried in Eglwyseg
4 years ago
Reply to  Leigh Richards

Expansion to the east is the road to victory, but this requires a single flank along the west.

The Queen is upon your last king in this chess game. Gwynedd stands alone, Caerfyrddin is in the last phases of siege. Ceredigion and Môn may still be won with luck.

Dolgellau and Aberystwyth are the weak points in the flank between our last remaining castles.

Bill Phillips
Bill Phillips
4 years ago

The independence “that dare not speak its name” huh?

Glen
Glen
4 years ago

Fine words, but it’s about time Plaid started acting like opposition to Labour in the Senedd rather than playing ‘the little helper’ role.

Phil Jones
Phil Jones
4 years ago
Reply to  Glen

Seems they have to do what DERYN tells them

Alan Lydiard
Alan Lydiard
4 years ago

It’s a first road to independence and Adam shows he can take the London elite to task

Walter Hunt
Walter Hunt
4 years ago

Yes, a good performance by Adam Price. But Labour and the Conservatives may have played a blinder, not in the debate, but in putting up Mr Burgon and Mr Rishi. These 2nd or 3rd tier politicians would inevitably be seen by Joe Public as second rate and this impression may rub off on the 5 party leaders who did actually turn up for the debate: a tactic to put the squeeze on challenges from these parties. If we want democracy there has to be end to this sort of MSM manipulation.

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