‘UK-wide approach’ to tackling Covid has strengthened the Union claims Michael Gove
A “UK-wide approach” to tackling Covid-19 has strengthened the Union, according to Michael Gove in a new publication.
His words appear in Strength in Union, which will be launched at the Conservative party conference and includes a contribution from Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and former Prime Minister Theresa May.
Michael Gove, who became Minister for Intergovernmental Relations tasked with dealing with the devolved administrations in last month’s reshuffle, says in the collection of essays that the Union “grows stronger with every day that passes”.
His claim that a “UK-wide approach” to Covid-19 has strengthened the Union comes despite health being an issue devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and those administrations displaying a great deal of variation in measures to tackle the pandemic.
“The relationships that have stood us in good stead for generations have also equipped us very well for the future,” he said. “We should celebrate our vision of a prosperous, progressive and dynamic country that has adapted over time and will continue to do so.
“A country that champions the robust institutions like our great universities in which we take such pride, and which reflect the distinctive traditions from around the UK — but that also embraces diversity and change.
“Looking ahead, I believe the case for a United Kingdom grows stronger with every day that passes. And just as we tackled Covid-19 with a UK-wide approach, so we should work together to build back better — banking the progress we have made so far and building a sustainable, long-term economic recovery for the whole country over the next five years and beyond.”
‘Laser-focused’
Strength in Union has been compiled by Andrew Bowie, the West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine MP, and the Centre for Policy Studies, the centre-right think tank.
It will be launched tomorrow at the Conservative Party conference. It also includes essays by the secretaries of state for Scotland, Northern Ireland and now Lord William Hague of Richmond, the former Welsh Secretary and Conservative Party leader.
“There is one unifying thread throughout — that the Conservative Party must remain laser-focused on the many things which Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have in common, against those who would divide us,” Andrew Bowie said.
Robert Colvile, director of the Centre for Policy Studies, said: “The advantages of working together are so much greater than the costs of splitting apart.”
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Laughter in the dark.
Ah, more Conservative and Unionist “Alternate Facts”.
The reality of the ‘United’ KIngdom seems to be too large for the Tories to cope with, so as Douglas Adams suggests they have moved somewhere smaller of their own devising.
As usual Mr Gove is so wrong and out of touch.
Boy shovels too much powder up his nose without checking what it might be !
Reminds me of the old “Gin and Harpic; the drink that drives you clean round the bend” joke.
He has spent a fortune on rehab and still doesn’t get Step One; that we are powerless over our addiction and that our lives have become unmanageable.
Gove, ever the hypocrite. Covid has strengthened devolution not Unionism. He’s a fool.
The UK 🇬🇧 is finished Wales 🏴 Scotland 🏴 and Ireland 🇮🇪 are better of being free and independent and is better for the UK we in Wales 🏴 have got to stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh kick all English party’s out of wales that’s the Tories Labour and all Brexit party’s it’s time for a new wales 🏴
Trying to avoid any sight or sound of the Tory party conference is going to be pretty difficult but come on – we can do it !
Surely you want to know what’s coming our way? Or do you just like surprises – whether they’re pleasant or not?
Total rubbish. Westminster Government’s approach of outsourcing purchase of PPE equipment and much more to Tory donors who didn’t have a clue what they’re doing is outrageous and something to be ashamed of. The Senedd’s approachhas been much better and something we have to build on. We can’t let the Tories grab back the power we have gained incrementally over the past 20 years.
Couldn’t help but think that Gove didn’t consider that an Europe-wide approach strengthened the European Union. Quite the opposite, as I recall.
He just thinks whatever might suit his prejudices and preferences. Any relevance to facts is purely coincidental.
Was this the same UK wide approach, that saw a PPE supplier from England, Email customers in Wales, that they were unable to supply outside England on UK Gov directive, which the tories denied, only for the company to publish the memo. The company is called Gompels Health Care.
Gove, sorry mate, but what you say is just utter rubbish !
A ‘ must read ‘ for the 🌲Christmas 🤶 stocking ….😄…will help lighten up that lazy Boxing Day post lunch afternoon … will order a few for friends 👍🏼.
Tory trash talk belongs in the bin with everything else they say
“…says in the collection of essays that the Union “grows stronger with every day that passes”.”
What he meant to say was “the erosion of devolved powers grows with every day that passes”.
You wish, Gove. If it wasn’t for the devolved nations crowbarring their own common sense Covid policies to counter the Westminster chaos heaven knows how much worse the last 18months could have turned out.
The “UK approach” to Covid has been the single biggest factor which has made people in Wales understand what the Senedd does, what’s devolved and that we are better looking after our own interests
“Strength in Union”
Yet they left a (European) union recently
Johnson’s divisive and generally useless response to covid has weakened the “Union” past breaking point. Gove is an idiot to suggest otherwise.
This man’s in denial. Stop trying to claim Drakeford’s credit, mate.
If Anglophile Gove thinks Unionism has been strengthened by Covid, is living in the clouds. In fact. It’s opened the eyes of many to the benefits of home rule, and made the people of Wales & Scotland see how measured we have been to the pandemic compared to the chaotic Conservative-led idiocracy in England.
#YesCymru 🏴 👍. #Ymlaen 🏴 👍
Agreed wholeheartedly, but please say Independance rather than ‘Home Rule’ that has far too much negative baggage from history.
I think ‘ self determination ‘ in the style Gwynfor envisaged perhaps resinates ?
What world does this Racist, Homophobic, ignorant prat live in!?
Gove is a deluded as@@@@e