Mark Drakeford putting the Union above addressing Welsh poverty, Plaid Cymru say
A Plaid Cymru Senedd Member has said that the First Minister is putting the “sanctity of the Union” ahead of introducing a welfare system that would get to grips with Wales’ poverty.
Luke Fletcher was responding to comments made by Mark Drakeford on Radio 4 this morning in which the First Minister said that there were “some things that you need to do at a UK level because those are the things that keep the UK together”.
The First Minister added that “a redistributive tax and benefits system, are for me among the reasons for wanting to belong and live in the United Kingdom”.
“There are many things we are able to do with our own powers, but a tax and benefits system that operates across the UK, so that wherever you live you have a guarantee that you will not fall below that basic minimum, is part of what makes the UK worthwhile,” he added.
South Wales West Senedd Member Luke Fletcher however said that Wales would not be able to effectively tackle the cost of living crisis amid rising inflation and stagnant wages unless it had power over welfare.
“If the First Minister was less concerned over protecting the sanctity of the Union and more concerned with addressing the root causes of inequality, he’d see that it’s precisely the lack of power over the tax and welfare systems that means we in Wales can do little more than treat the symptoms of poverty,” Luke Fletcher said.
“The cost of living crisis will soon overtake Covid as the biggest threat to our people in 2022. All the while powers needed to safeguard the people of Wales from this looming crisis sit with the UK Government, Wales will be powerless to help our most vulnerable unless we do what the First Minister seems so reluctant to do – get that power over our taxes and our welfare system.
“In putting the needs of the Union first, this puts the needs of Wales, and our people, into second place.”
Recent research by the Bevan Foundation showing that the total number of households in Wales struggling to cover the cost of everyday essentials has increased to approximately 110,000.
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Reading excerpts from the Radio 4 interview this morning has reminded me that Drakeford is a massive unionist and this is why he will never get my vote. He is putting the occupiers interests over his own country. He is a quisling and a judas.
As much as Drakeford gives the impression he’s fighting for Wales and protecting us from Tory attacks at heart will always put Britain above Wales. As First Minister Mark Drakeford could call for a further devolution vote or even an independence referenda to secure at least more powers denied to Wales, but he chooses not to living in hoping that English Labour under centrist Keir Starmer regains Westminstet power and will chuck his Welsh Government devolution scraps. At present Wales watches on Scotland prosper not only fiscally but politically under SNP rule. And only recently during the last Senedd election… Read more »
Is Scotland prospering?
Yes
He has a choice….. Lead Wales or sell out for an OBE.
any old creep can get an OBE, I would not be surprised to see him land a knighthood in due course. I appreciate that he is an Unionist so it will be just the ticket for him. When you consider some of the right Wanchors that have received such honours I’d say Drakeford compares very favourably and I speak as a guy who disagrees with much of what he’s done ( or not done) outside of the Covid sphere.
Mark Drakeford = hero of Wales!
Not an this mornings showing he is not
Plaid Cymru got to do a lot more taking for wales 🏴 and start fighting wales by stopping second homes in wales 🏴 and don’t be afraid of upsetting the English people in wales 🏴
Just when you think he is seeing some sense he comes out with nonsense like this, I despair I really do