Tories hit out at Labour for ‘trailing behind’ as pubs reopen in England

The Tories have hit out at Labour for “trailing behind” after the pubs reopened in England.

The party’s spokesperson for the economy, Russell George, accused Labour of “playing politics, rather than following the science”.

Hospitality opened on Monday in England, while the industry will remain shut in Wales until April 26.

The Welsh Government has said it is taking a “careful step-by-step approach” to reopening the economy.

“We have set out a series of measures to relax restrictions through April and May, subject to public health conditions being favourable,” a spokesperson said.

It also says that it has provided more than £2bn of funding to support businesses impacted by the pandemic, and claimed this has safeguarded 165,000 Welsh jobs.

Reacting to the announcement that pubs in England have opened ahead of those in Wales, Russell George MS, said: “Once again, Wales is trailing behind other areas of the UK because of Labour’s insistence on playing politics, rather than following the science.

“It makes little sense, when pubs in other parts of the UK have re-opened, for Labour to insist on them remaining firmly shut here in Wales.

“Welsh Conservatives have previously published a cautious, yet detailed, roadmap outlining how we would have reopened pubs as well as other sectors in the economy, including gyms.

“Labour need to stop playing politics and heed our plan so we can build a better Wales.”